The 71-year-old from Stirling played a crucial role in helping London secure the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in Singapore in 2005 when he served as British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman before he became a senior member of the London 2012 Board, helping the city stage one of the greatest Games in history.

But in a special event at the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood in Edinburgh, Sir Craig said he expects Glasgow 2014 to build on the London 2012 success story.

"Staging the London 2012 Games this summer was a tremendous team effort that harnessed the talents of every nation in the UK," said Sir Craig.

"As we hand over the baton to Glasgow 2014, we do so in the knowledge that the Commonwealth Games will be the next great moment in the UK's golden decade of sport."

Scotstoun Stadium will stage athletics competitions during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

The event at Holyrood was attended by senior figures including Scotland's Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison, who was encouraged by Sir Craig's words.

"I saw for myself the tremendous success of London 2012 and the sheer excitement that people had for the Games," she said.

"Our engagement with London 2012 and the UK Government has given us valuable lessons about what worked that stands us in good stead to deliver a brilliant spectacle in 2014."

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg, who was also in attendance, took the opportunity to praise Sir Craig and the rest of the London 2012 Board for their support for the Commonwealth Games.

"London 2012 was an important learning experience for us and we are very grateful for the support we have had from Sir Craig Reedie and his colleagues at London 2012," he said.

"Glasgow 2014 is the next major multi-sport event on these shores and it will be our moment to shine in a little under two years, so it is encouraging to see the great level of support for the Games at this event.

"We look forward to continuing to work with our Games Partners, stakeholders and Members of the Scottish Parliament to ensure that we deliver an outstanding Games for Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth."

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