Murray had the most successful period of his career to date last year, winning his first Grand Slam at the US Open and reached the final at Wimbledon before returning to win Olympic gold in the men's singles and silver in the mixed doubles at the All-England Club during London 2012.

And less than a week before the Scotsman makes his comeback at SW19 for the 2013 Wimbledon Championships, which get underway on Monday (June 24), he has been unveiled as the latest bid champion for Glasgow 2018, who are up against the Colombian city of Medellin and Argentinian capital Buenos Aires to host the Summer Youth Olympics in five years time.

Olympic champion Andy Murray has become the latest champion for Glasgow's bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games

"The Youth Olympic Games are all about encouraging kids to be champions and to work hard to achieve their goals," said Murray, who was also announced as the second seed for Wimbledon earlier today after he secured his third Aegon Championships title at the Queen's Club on Sunday against defending champion Marin Čilić.

"Kids need to believe that all of this is possible, I certainly did.

"Things are pretty hard for young people right now and it is vital their interests are at the heart of everything people who have influence do.

"What better way to do this than to back Glasgow's bid to bring the inspirational Olympic values back to the UK."

The current world number two believes that the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Glasgow would get the whole city and the country back into the Olympic spirit, harnessing the inspirational scenes from last summer's Games.

"I think Scotland would embrace a Youth Olympics in a special way to help kids achieve their true potential whatever their dreams are," he said.

"Even nearly a year on I think we all miss the Olympics, it was a special event and a special time for me here at Wimbledon that I will never forget.

Murray believes that Glasgow 2018 would be fully embraced by the nation and would inspire young people across the globe

"One of the best things about London 2012 was the way kids got into it and were inspired by some of the amazing performances we saw.

"We must keep that inspiration alive and empower all our kids to believe they can be champions in their lives just the way we were last summer.

"An amazing way to continue that would be to bring the Youth Olympic Games to Glasgow in 2018."

Murray joins a star-studded line-up of British household names that have backed Glasgow's bid to host the Youth Olympics, such as Britain's greatest ever Olympian and six-time gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy, Glasgow's Olympic silver medal winning swimmer Michael Jamieson, Britain's most successful female rower and Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger, World Champion boxer Ricky Burns, Britain's first Olympic gold medallist in taekwondo, Jade Jones, and Prime Minister David Cameron.

Glasgow 2018 Young Champion, Mahad Ahmed, said: "It is hard to believe that it was only a year ago that Andy won a gold and silver medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"I can't wait to see him at Wimbledon this year.

Andy Murray joins the likes of Britain's greatest Olympian, cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, in becoming a bid champion for Glasgow 2018

"His performances are a true inspiration showing young people just what is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself.

"That is exactly what Glasgow 2018 is all about."

Glasgow 2018 Bid Director Paul Bush said: "We are delighted that Andy Murray has joined our bid to bring the 2018 Youth Olympic Games to Glasgow.

"He is exactly the kind of role model our young people need."

Glasgow have vowed to put young people from around the world at the heart of the 2018 Youth Olympics should their bid be successful, and last week announced that 10 youngsters from each of the five continents will be selected, in partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the continental associations, to become members of the Organising Committee and the Culture and Education Programme (CEP) based at the Glasgow 2018 headquarters a year before the Games get underway as part of a £2.5 million ($3.9 million/€2.9 million) project.

The announcement of the host city for the Youth Olympic Games is just 15 days away, and will be made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the Olympic capital of Lausanne on July 4.

To vote in our poll for which city you think should host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, click here. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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