Athletes, crowds and city break records as Glasgow 2014 reaches halfway point

World-beating athletes and incredible crowds are ensuring the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is off to a sensational start. At the half-way point, Organisers revealed the number of Commonwealth and World record which have been toppled, the record-breaking tickets sales and the unprecedented crowds which have thronged across the city to soak up the once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere of Scotland’s biggest-ever sporting and cultural festival.

Games high points to date include:

• 1.2 million tickets sold, making Glasgow 2014 Scotland’s most successful sports event 
• More than 100 new Commonwealth Games Records and 5 new World Records set
• 151 Gold medals will have been presented by tonight (Tuesday, July 29)
• The biggest-ever world crowds for a Rugby Sevens tournament
• At least 300,000 visitors have now enjoyed the city’s live sites
• Haunting rendition of ‘Freedom, Come All Ye’ from the Opening Ceremony by South African singer Pumeza is now topping the UK I-tunes classical charts

And over Super Saturday and Sensational Sunday, the city enjoyed its biggest weekend ever with nearly 700,000 people flocking to enjoy a wide range of sport and culture venues and be part of Glasgow’s greatest sporting moment on the global stage. In addition, Glasgow 2014’s Rugby Sevens competition which saw South Africa triumph in a thrilling final against New Zealand, attracted world record-breaking Sevens audiences to Ibrox Stadium over the two-day competition.

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During Glasgow 2014’s Big Weekend alone:

• 47,000 people at the Merchant City Festival
• 65,000 at the Glasgow Green Live Zone
• 30,000 supporters who lined the Marathon route
• 12,000 spectators for the flotilla of 250 boats with 2,000 people sailing
• 5,000 people at the Kelvingrove bandstand
• 171,000 attended the Rugby Sevens – a record-breaking number for the sport

And in the past four days, nearly 1.5 million passengers have passed through the city’s Central Station.

Since the Opening Ceremony burst into life last Wednesday, Glasgow 2014 has been making TV and newspaper headlines across Scotland and across the world with social media channels also buzzing with news and views. The staggering statistics include:

• Average of 1m visits to the website per day (1,054,810)
• UK, India, Australia is bringing the majority of the traffic (48%, 16%, 13% respectively)
• Over 1.3m mentions of Glasgow 2014 on social networks since the Opening Ceremony
• Around 998k visitors to the website on Opening Ceremony day alone

The Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee and Games Partners (Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland) pledged to stage an outstanding athlete centred, sports focused Commonwealth Games of world-class competition; a Games that would be celebrated across the Commonwealth, generating enormous pride in Glasgow and Scotland, leaving a lasting legacy.

Already, Glasgow 2014 has:

·    Created an estimated 1,000 jobs and contributed £52 million to Scotland’s economy on average in each of the six years to 2014 through the construction and refurbishment of Games venues and the Athletes’ Village

·    Supported Scottish-based businesses who have won 69% of contracts linked with the Games

·    Received excellent feedback for an Athletes’ Village which post-Games will provide 700 permanent homes, including 400 for social rent, and a new 120-bed care home for the elderly.

 

Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive David Grevemberg said:

 

“We are utterly thrilled by the positive reaction Glasgow and Scotland’s Games is receiving from Commonwealth Athletes competing in our venues as well as spectators and fans playing their part here or watching across the world. 

“The passionate support of the packed crowds in the venues is inspiring as is the warmth of the welcome they have received in Glasgow and Scotland.

“Reaching the halfway point is a great opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work and support. We’re all committed to delivering the best possible experience for everyone involved and together we are on course to make Glasgow 2014 the best Commonwealth Games ever.”    

 

Glasgow City Council Leader, Cllr Gordon Matheson said:

"It's been absolutely fantastic to see so many people having the time of their lives over the past few days.

"The city has come alive with hundreds of thousands of people enjoying the festival atmosphere and cheering on the world's best athletes.

"The atmosphere around the city's streets and on Glasgow Green for the marathon was electric and again proves that People Make Glasgow."

Cabinet Secretary for Sport, Shona Robison, said:

 “Scotland’s sporting achievements have been first class and it’s tremendous to see the warm welcome athletes from across the Commonwealth have received from crowds – there is no doubt that Glasgow has done us proud.

“There is a really exciting buzz in the city and right across Scotland at the moment as it’s clear the whole country is getting behind the Games. Whether it’s through cheering on the athletes from the stadiums or from the comfort of their own homes, these impressive performances are inspiring generations of sporting stars in Scotland and the Commonwealth.”

For spectators still hoping to grab a piece of the sporting action, there are still tickets available for    Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Lawn Bowl, Squash, Table Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling. There are also tickets available for the Closing Ceremony.

Tickets can be bought on the website at tickets.glasgow2014.com or by calling 0800 458 2014. They are also available on the door with the Venue Ticket Offices open from 8am. Spectators are advised to arrive in good time to buy or collect tickets as it is expected to be very busy.

For more information on where to find traffic and travel updates please got to the Get Ready Glasgow website www.getreadyglasgow.com

By: Editor