Commonwealth Games 2014 or Scottish Commonwealth Games as they are being called by the successors of the kilt designing warriors are due to start on 23 July. They might not be as big as Olympics (well, nothing is bigger than Olympics, except the ambitions of Putin), but they hold their forte. At present, Scotland’s Commonwealth Games Uniform has been scrapped by 5,000 people in a form of a petition. But, let us take a look at more important things.
Glasgow is geared up to host the 20th Commonwealth Games (Image Courtesy: Flickr/Stevie Spiers)
What Are The Commonwealth Games 2014?
Despite once being known as ‘the empire on which the sun never sets’, the British still wanted to make sure people remembered their legacy. Thus, the idea of Commonwealth Games came to life. Though there are 53 members of the Commonwealth Nations, but 71 teams will participate in the Games as British overseas territories, Crown dependencies, and island states compete under their own flag. The Commonwealth Games happen every four years (talk about originality, huh!)
What’s The History?
The Commonwealth Games are held with a purpose of increasing the goodwill and good understanding of the British Empire. (At least that is what their website states). The first edition of the event was the 1930 British Empire Games in which 11 nations participated. The four-year schedule of the Games was disrupted by the Second World War. The games were later revived in 1950 and were renamed four years later.
Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village promises to be a real ‘home from home’ (Image Courtesy: Wikimedia)
Where Are These Games Held This Year?
The Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow this year. This is the third time Scotland will play host to the Games, though for Glasgow, it will be their first Commonwealth Games. With about 15 different venues to host the Games, Glasgow has prepared well for this spectacle. Athletes’ Village, Barry Buddon Shooting Centre, Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike Trails, Celtic Park, Emirates Arena, Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Glasgow Green Hockey Centre are few of the venues where over 261 events will be held.
What Are The Sports That Will Be Played?
The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be the biggest multi-sport event that Scotland has ever seen, if you don’t consider the numerous battles that the Scots have fought against the Brits. 17 sports will be competed for at the Glasgow Games this year. Participants will win or lose medals for Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Rugby Sevens, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Triathlon, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
Rod Stewart is set to perform at the opening ceremony in Glasgow
The Travel Angle
Glasgow has been a regular feature on many travel lists and rightly so; the country is beautiful. If you are an art lover, Glasgow will not disappoint you. The Glasgow Cathedral boasts of great architecture and the city is filled with works of creative genius by the iconic architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The 60-minute City Tour gives you a complete overview of the attractions in this city. The West Highland Way covers the 92-mile national long-distance trail of the same name through the south-western part of the Scottish Highlands. Glasgow combines urban mayhem and black humour, so travelling should be fun.
This is what every member of the 70 teams will be fighting for (Image Courtesy: Glasgow 2014 official team)
What Can India Expect From The Commonwealth Games?
India will field a 224-member contingent to participate at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014. This is India’s second largest contingent at the Games. Among some of the big names representing India are Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt (Wrestling), Abhinav Bindra, Vijay Kumar, Gagan Narang and Manavjit Sandhu (Shooting), Vikas Gowda, Krishna Poonia and Tintu Luka (Athletics), Saina Nehwal and Jwala Gutta (Badminton), Vijender Singh, Shiv Thapa and Pinki Rani (Boxing), Ashish Kumar (Gymnastics), Deborah (Cycling), Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa (Squash) and K Ravi Kumar (Weightlifting).