The biggest sporting event ever staged in Scotland will see around 4,500 athletes from 70 Commonwealth nations converge on Glasgow for 11 days of competition across 17 sports from July 23 until August 3.

Grevemberg claimed the turn of the year has now sharpened both organisers and fans' minds and a sense of excitement is building as the Games loom larger in the horizon.

"The first day of 2014 brings with it a real thrill and a sense of focus to everyone who has invested so much in making Glasgow and Scotland's biggest sporting moment a truly outstanding success," said Grevemberg in a New Year message.

"People from very diverse backgrounds and interests are coming together with a unity of purpose - to ensure the XX Commonwealth Games is a powerful and genuine celebration of world-class sport and culture that looks to embrace and empower all who experience it.

"Here we are at the final countdown.

"The trajectory is set and momentum is building with a real sense of connected ambition that is relevant both locally and globally to individuals and within communities.

"This is everyone's moment to shine, our chance to welcome the Commonwealth to this proud city and, together, have the time of our lives."

Organisers claim 15,000 volunteers, known as "Clyde-siders" will be working in and around the Athletes Village and the 14 different venues assisting athletes and team officials as well as the million spectators expected to attend events in Scotland's largest city.

The Queen's Baton Relay will end its journey at Celtic Park which will host the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games ©Glasgow 2014

















The Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony is due to take place at Celtic Park, home of Celtic Football Club, while Hampden Park, currently undergoing a temporary transformation for the Games, will be the centre of attention as it hosts all athletics events, as well as the Closing Ceremony.

As part of the Opening Ceremony on July 23, the Commonwealth Games Baton, currently in Sierra Leone, will arrive at Celtic Park after travelling some 190,000 kilometres over 288 days and visiting every Commonwealth country.

The Queens Baton Relay was launched in October 2013 at a special ceremony in Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth and contains a special message from which will be read out during the Opening Ceremony.

Glasgow 2014 organisers claim more than 90 per cent of tickets have been sold for the Games with the remaining tickets now available to buy by visiting the Glasgow 2014 ticketing website or via Glasgow 2014 24-hour Ticket Hotline 0844 826 2014.

There are a limited number of tickets remaining for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, while tickets can also still be purchased for badminton at the Emirates Arena, lawn bowls at the Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre, rugby sevens at Ibrox Stadium, squash at the Scotstoun Sports Campus, weightlifting at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) Precinct, and for boxing which also takes place at the SECC with the finals to be held at the SSE Hydro arena.

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