All top athletes will be present at Glasgow CWG: Scott

LONDON - All the games’ top stars will be present during the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, John Scott, chief executive of the organising committee, has said.

The world’s fastest man Usain Bolt, many of the UK’s most successful sportsmen and women, including Paula Radcliffe, Jessica Ennis, Victoria Pendleton, Beth Tweddle and Mo Farah decided not to compete at the just concluded Delhi Games.

Scott said he had been talking to athletes in Delhi and around the world to drum up support for the games in Scotland’s largest city.

“Obviously you want to get all the big names, you do because it is a fabulous platform. They are here to perform they want to do their absolute best. We are absolutely adamant we are about the sport and everything should flow out from the athletes, to be athlete- centred, focused,” The Scotsman quoted him, as saying.

“If you create the environment for that you will get a fabulous show and if the show is of the right quality, the people will love it, broadcasters will love it and it will be a great Games,” he added.

But last night two former Lord Provosts of Glasgow — Michael Kelly and Alex Mosson-criticised Scott and accused him of raising unnecessary negative publicity for the Glasgow games.

Kelly said: “I don’t understand why John Scott is saying this, especially since some Scottish athletes chose not to go to Delhi.

He’s raising a straw man for someone to knock down.” (ANI)