While the GamesINFO service is free to access at Games venues, it cannot be accessed remotely unless a charge of £70 ($120/€88) plus VAT is paid to organisers by accredited media attending the Games which are due get underway next Wednesday (July 23).

For journalists who do not pay the charge for the MyGamesINFO service - which allows access away from Games venues - this has put them in an awkward position as they will not be able to use the service to gatherr vital information and data when they go to write previews of events in the build-up to and during the Games.

The GamesINFO service contains information on competitions and schedules as well as athlete biographies, historical results, transportation details, weather reports and, during the Games, results and athlete quotes.

Some journalists and media publications have become increasingly frustrated at the lack of access to information claiming that the information available so far is inadequate.

"I was shocked when Glasgow 2014 told me that I had to pay £84 ($144/€106) just to see a track and field timetable," Jason Henderson, the editor of Athletics Weekly, told sportsjournalists.co.uk, website of the Sport Journalists' Association, who represent Britain's sports journalists. 

"We usually run the timetable - which is the most basic piece of information - in our preview issue for the Games, but I was directed toward the rate card team and encouraged to sign up to MyGamesINFO.

"It's already expensive just to stay in Glasgow during the Games, so additional charges like this for previously free and easy-to-access information is a kick in the teeth."

The MyGamesINFO service at Glasgow 2014 contains information on competitions, schedules, athletes and results ©Getty Images



But a spokesperson for Glasgow 2014 told insidethegames that the charge being levied for the MyGamesINFO service is "usual practice in world sports events" for an "enhanced service".

"GamesINFO is being provided for the Commonwealth Games in order to provide all accredited media with wide-ranging statistics, alerts, biographies, quotes and background information regarding this and previous Commonwealth Games," said the spokesperson.

"We are providing GamesINFO terminals at each venue media centre and in the Main Press Centre which are free to use by accredited media throughout facility operating periods.

"To provide more flexibility to those media organisations who require it, we are also providing a remote version of the service, MyGamesINFO which allows organisations to access the system from wherever they are, as long as they have an internet connection.

"This enhanced system includes text alerts as well as copy and paste functions."

Last month, Glasgow 2014 were forced to cut planned charges for internet access and wi-fi by 50 per cent after coming under fierce criticism from the world's media organisations.

Originally journalists were asked to pay a one-off £95 ($158/€115) charge for wi-fi but this was halved to £47.50 ($79/€57.50).

In addition, organisers are offering free access to up to 200 of the most "financially in need accredited media organisations."

Photographers are still being asked to pay up to £265 ($440/€320) to work during the Games while the cost of the MyGamesINFO service remains unchanged also.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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