Manchester Commonwealth Games Preparations on Track
Multi-sport games -
07 Mar 2001
With just over 500 days to the largest and most spectacular multi-sport event ever hosted in the UK, organisers today illustrated that, against their original objectives for the event, they have already exceeded expectations and are firmly on track to deliver a world class XVII Commonwealth Games.
Chairman of Manchester 2002, Charles Allen, addressing media and athletes in London yesterday reflected on the objectives laid down when Manchester was awarded the Games in 1995.
'To be an international sporting event of world status you need the best facilities and the best competitors. With the new City of Manchester Stadium, the unique Manchester Aquatics Centre, the new Indoor Tennis and Squash Centres, new Hockey Centre and upgraded facilities which already host world class events, we have a mix of the very highest standards of new and existing venues that will attract the world’s best athletes,' said Mr Allen. 'We will attract the very best by providing the very best,' he added.
'The British public can expect to see sporting action of the very highest calibre. The Squash, Netball and Bowls events are equivalent to world championships, whilst in Hockey and Rugby 7’s the very best teams are drawn from the Commonwealth. We will expect to see in individual events like Athletics and Swimming many world record holders and Olympic medallists like Denise Lewis and Ian Thorpe. In total 88 medallists in Sydney were from Commonwealth countries – the majority of whom we expect to welcome to Manchester next year.'
He continued: 'One of the primary reasons why Manchester bid for the Games was, and remains, a firm belief that sports can play a pivotal role in the social and economic regeneration. With more than £145 m in new sporting facilities – all of which have a long term community and elite use after the 2002 Games – and an estimated further
£200 m of private sector investment, East Manchester with its new sport complex, will be transformed from one of the most deprived areas in the country to a thriving, vibrant community with world class sporting facilities, retail, leisure and new housing.'
'This, combined with up to 5000 projected new jobs, a new focus on Manchester and the region which will further stimulate tourism, new trade links built across the
Commonwealth and a surge of civic pride will mean that the legacy of the Games will last well into the next decade and beyond.
'In addition, the 2002 Games will be the first global multi-sport event to include a programme of events for elite athletes with a disability. These athletes will compete in ten events over five sports. Also, more women will compete than ever before with 41% of the total competition numbers being women in all events apart from Boxing, Wrestling and Rugby 7s.'
'The Games has one other legacy which we must, and will, ensure is created. The ability of the UK to attract future high profile events, particularly the Olympics and this ability will be directly linked to the success of the 2002 Games in Manchester. The stakes are very high, but so are the potential rewards.'
'2002 is also the year of Her Majesty the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and the 2002 Commonwealth Games will be the focal point and culmination of those celebrations. A national Spirit of Friendship Festival to embrace art, dance, music, education and sport is gathering momentum and trailblazer events start in October this year. The Games affords the UK an opportunity to showcase its wealth of talent and the cultural diversity of its people.'
'The original revenue target was ambitious. Two years out from the 2002 Commonwealth Games we had raised £18m – more than either the 1999 Rugby Union World Cup or the Cricket World Cup generated in total sponsorship.'
'I can announce that today our committed commercial revenue has leapt to £30m which includes the recent sale of overseas television rights to Channel 7 in Australia (Australia’s Olympic broadcaster) and NZTV in New Zealand. Also included are 2 new sponsorships with global brands who will be launching their formal association with the Games within the next few weeks.'
'The Sydney Olympics set new standards and expectations for all multi-sport events. The XVII Commonwealth Games is not the Olympics – nor it is realistic to attempt to replicate that experience. What we can, and will do however, is to deliver an event that engenders the same sense of pride and involvement, one that realises the same level of sporting excellence and home medal success, 'said Mr Allen.
'In the autumn of 2002 we want future bid cities and countries to look back and say ‘we want to do a Manchester’, concluded Mr Allen.
For further information, please contact:
Jane Price
Tel: +44 (0)161 240 2015
Mobile: +44 (0)7977 982002
Jacqueline Meenan
Tel: +44 (0)161 240 2056
MobileL +44 (0)7980 792002
Chairman of Manchester 2002, Charles Allen, addressing media and athletes in London yesterday reflected on the objectives laid down when Manchester was awarded the Games in 1995.
'To be an international sporting event of world status you need the best facilities and the best competitors. With the new City of Manchester Stadium, the unique Manchester Aquatics Centre, the new Indoor Tennis and Squash Centres, new Hockey Centre and upgraded facilities which already host world class events, we have a mix of the very highest standards of new and existing venues that will attract the world’s best athletes,' said Mr Allen. 'We will attract the very best by providing the very best,' he added.
'The British public can expect to see sporting action of the very highest calibre. The Squash, Netball and Bowls events are equivalent to world championships, whilst in Hockey and Rugby 7’s the very best teams are drawn from the Commonwealth. We will expect to see in individual events like Athletics and Swimming many world record holders and Olympic medallists like Denise Lewis and Ian Thorpe. In total 88 medallists in Sydney were from Commonwealth countries – the majority of whom we expect to welcome to Manchester next year.'
He continued: 'One of the primary reasons why Manchester bid for the Games was, and remains, a firm belief that sports can play a pivotal role in the social and economic regeneration. With more than £145 m in new sporting facilities – all of which have a long term community and elite use after the 2002 Games – and an estimated further
£200 m of private sector investment, East Manchester with its new sport complex, will be transformed from one of the most deprived areas in the country to a thriving, vibrant community with world class sporting facilities, retail, leisure and new housing.'
'This, combined with up to 5000 projected new jobs, a new focus on Manchester and the region which will further stimulate tourism, new trade links built across the
Commonwealth and a surge of civic pride will mean that the legacy of the Games will last well into the next decade and beyond.
'In addition, the 2002 Games will be the first global multi-sport event to include a programme of events for elite athletes with a disability. These athletes will compete in ten events over five sports. Also, more women will compete than ever before with 41% of the total competition numbers being women in all events apart from Boxing, Wrestling and Rugby 7s.'
'The Games has one other legacy which we must, and will, ensure is created. The ability of the UK to attract future high profile events, particularly the Olympics and this ability will be directly linked to the success of the 2002 Games in Manchester. The stakes are very high, but so are the potential rewards.'
'2002 is also the year of Her Majesty the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and the 2002 Commonwealth Games will be the focal point and culmination of those celebrations. A national Spirit of Friendship Festival to embrace art, dance, music, education and sport is gathering momentum and trailblazer events start in October this year. The Games affords the UK an opportunity to showcase its wealth of talent and the cultural diversity of its people.'
'The original revenue target was ambitious. Two years out from the 2002 Commonwealth Games we had raised £18m – more than either the 1999 Rugby Union World Cup or the Cricket World Cup generated in total sponsorship.'
'I can announce that today our committed commercial revenue has leapt to £30m which includes the recent sale of overseas television rights to Channel 7 in Australia (Australia’s Olympic broadcaster) and NZTV in New Zealand. Also included are 2 new sponsorships with global brands who will be launching their formal association with the Games within the next few weeks.'
'The Sydney Olympics set new standards and expectations for all multi-sport events. The XVII Commonwealth Games is not the Olympics – nor it is realistic to attempt to replicate that experience. What we can, and will do however, is to deliver an event that engenders the same sense of pride and involvement, one that realises the same level of sporting excellence and home medal success, 'said Mr Allen.
'In the autumn of 2002 we want future bid cities and countries to look back and say ‘we want to do a Manchester’, concluded Mr Allen.
For further information, please contact:
Jane Price
Tel: +44 (0)161 240 2015
Mobile: +44 (0)7977 982002
Jacqueline Meenan
Tel: +44 (0)161 240 2056
MobileL +44 (0)7980 792002