Glasgow 2014 today revealed the city’s spectacular new world-class athletics arena following the stunning transformation of Hampden Park.
The centrepiece at the heart of the Games, Scotland’s National Stadium will stage some of the most thrilling moments of the competition, with more than a thousand athletes going all out for gold and glory in over 48 events in seven days.
Olympic Steeplechaser and Team Scotland athlete Eilish McColgan said:
“There’s less than 50 days to go until Glasgow 2014 and standing here in Hampden definitely makes it seem real. My mum has told me all about the unbelievable atmosphere and overwhelming support of the crowd when she competed and won gold in front of a home crowd at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, and I know that’s a standout memory of all her races throughout the years.” Says Eilish.
Hampden Park is already a legendary venue and the scene of many international moments of intense sporting drama but months of construction were required to prepare it to host Athletics at next month’s Commonwealth Games.
The finished works, which saw approximately eight rows of seats removed and the surface being raised by almost two meters; revealed for the first time the close proximity that fans will have to the intense sporting action.
Eilish continues, “I’m just so excited at the prospect of competing in a home Games and she’s told me the support I’ll have from the Scottish crown as a Scottish athlete will be on another level. Having the ‘Hampden Roar’ behind me as I push down the home straight will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I can’t wait to give it my all and do my very best.”
This newly laid tarmac comprises of a full IAAF-approved Athletics track, infield complete with freshly-cutgrass and sits on a temporary deck, made up of 1,200 base panels which are supported by over 6,000 structural steel stilts.