By Tom Degun

COMMONWEALTH HOUSE_OPENING_ImageDecember 18 - Sir Peter Heatly, one Scotland's greatest ever Commonwealth athletes, was joined by two young Scottish sporting talents to officially open Commonwealth House; the new Glasgow 2014 headquarters located in the East-end of the city.


Sir Peter won three consecutive diving gold medals at Auckland 1950, Vancouver 1954 and Cardiff 1958 before going on to become chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) from 1982 to 1990.

He is now a life vice-president of the CGF and, in honour of his contribution to the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014 have named the boardroom at the new headquarters "The Sir Peter Heatly Boardroom."

Sir Peter was joined by the 16-year-olds Vicky Clow and John McCall at the official opening of Commonwealth House.

Clow has already competed at the Commonwealth Games when she took part in rhythmic gymnastics at Delhi 2010 while McCall represented Scotland at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man where he competed in the 110m hurdles.

"We are delighted to call Commonwealth House and the Merchant City our new home," said the Glasgow 2014 chairman, Lord Smith, who was also in attendance at the unveiling.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to recognise Sir Peter's outstanding contribution to the Commonwealth Games and his sporting achievements.

"Commonwealth House will leave yet another tangible landmark after the Games, but more importantly a positive legacy for the city, in a completely refurbished traditional building in the Merchant City."

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The new headquarters will be home to 1,044 members of staff at Games-time and the interior of Commonwealth House has been designed in line with Glasgow 2014's athlete centred and sport focused vision.

All 17 Commonwealth sports are portrayed extensively throughout the building, including the use of pictograms and sport terminology in designing and naming all the meeting rooms.

War veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq were employed to work during the renovation at Commonwealth House, all of them recruited through the Council's Helping Heroes campaign, which assists ex-soldiers in finding work.

There were also over 40 young apprentices employed throughout the renovation work at Commonwealth House.

"It is very fitting that the Organising Committee would choose to name their boardroom after one of Scotland's Commonwealth heroes, Sir Peter Heatly," added Scotland's Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison.

"He is an outstanding ambassador for elite sport and I know our nation's athletes will look to his example as they aspire to be part of Team Scotland for 2014."

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