Commonwealth Games should benefit Borders too
John Lamont MSP has called on the Scottish Government to consider the Borders as a potential venue for events and training venues for the 2014 Commonwealth Games which were recently awarded to Glasgow. Lamont commented:
“The current Olympic Games in Beijing are a reminder of the huge level of excitement which come with the hosting of such an international sporting event. The 2014 Commonwealth Games will bring significant benefits to Scotland, and not just to the host city of Glasgow.
“The Borders has some excellent sporting facilities and I am concerned that these have not been considered in the planning of the games. I have been in contact with the Glasgow team about some of the events in particular and I have also written to Communities and Sport Minister Stewart Maxwell MSP, asking him to re-consider facilities in the Borders.
In particular, I am concerned that the 7stanes mountain bike network in the South of Scotland, which is rated as one of the best in the world, will miss out in 2014 in favour of a new development at Cathkin Braes. I understand from the Glasgow organisers that 7stanes was considered to be too far away from the athletes village, however I notice that the shooting events will be based at Carnoustie in Angus. It seems a shame to build a new development for mountain biking, when such a high class facility already exists in the Borders.