The home of Scottish football has undergone a major makeover for Glasgow 2014 which has seen an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) approved track laid down in preparation for seven days of action during the Games, which will see more than 1,000 athletes competing in 48 medal events.

In order to accommodate the track, the pitch at Hampden has been raised by almost two metres using a temporary deck which is made up of 1,200 base panels supported by more than 6,000 structural steel stilts.

The capacity in the stadium, which will also host the Closing Ceremony, has been reduced from over 50,000 to 44,000 for the Games.

This weekend's Scottish Schools Athletics Championships is officially a closed event, however, around 3,500 friends and family of the 1,200 school children from across Scotland taking part in competition have been invited to attend free of charge.

"We are delighted to be included in the preparations for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games," said Janice Hendrie, President of the Scottish Schools Athletics Association.

"It is a unique opportunity for our athletes, schools and association which has already inspired our younger athletes to produce some of their best performances to qualify for this weekend.

"Over a thousand young athletes will compete and expectations are high that they will rise to the occasion.

"We will witness some excellent performances which will thrill the spectators and provide the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee with valuable practical experience for the Games next month.

"Our motto since last year has been 'Hampden, here we come'.

"Tomorrow it will be 'Hampden: here we are'."

Scottish school children will be the first to test out the newly laid track at Hampden Park ahead of this year's Commonwealth Games ©AFP/Getty Images



Scottish firm Malcolm Construction has carried out the reconstruction work at Hampden Park, along with work at nearby Lesser Hampden, which organisers claim has been completed on budget at £14 million ($23 million/€17 million).

Following this week's event, Hampden will get its first taste of international action as it is set to host next month's IAAF Diamond League meeting on July 11 and 12, providing another important opportunity to test out the refurbished venue before the Games get underway less than two weeks later.

"The spectacular transformation of Hampden Park from iconic football stadium to world-class athletics venue is an achievement of which Glasgow and Scotland can be justifiably proud," said Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg.

"The Scottish Schools event will mark the first use of this state of the art temporary athletics track, which has been installed for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and we are thrilled that young people will have the opportunity to compete in this beautiful facility just prior to the elite athletes of the Commonwealth arriving in Glasgow next month."

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