Designed with input from athletes, the village is situated opposite Celtic Park where the Opening Ceremony will take place.

It is also adjacent to the new Commonwealth Arena and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome which will both be opened later this year.

During the Commonwealth Games, the village will be home to 6,500 athletes while the site in Dalmarnock in east Glasgow will be turned into 700 new homes after the competition.

The most high profile of the three athletes that toured the Village today was former Scottish hockey player Simpson, who has stayed in the Athletes' Village at three Commonwealth Games and two Olympic Games.

Simpson, who is also the athletes' representative on the Glasgow 2014 Board, was joined by two young athletes who aim to experience the atmosphere of an Athletes' Village for the first time in 2014 in swimmer Muir and long jumper Nimmo.

Glasgow 2014 Athletes' Village under construction

Simpson admitted she was impressed with how far the Village has progressed since the start of construction last year.

"With the eyes of the sporting world firmly on London 2012, I'm incredibly proud to be marking this particular milestone at Glasgow 2014's Athletes' Village," said the 40-year-old, who is Scotland's most capped hockey player.

"The excitement being generated by the Olympic Games will only increase the anticipation and desire the people of Glasgow and Scotland have to welcome the athletes of the Commonwealth back to the UK in two years' time.

"The focus at the Organising Committee is to ensure the Athletes' Village provides the comfort and convenience needed by today's performance athletes.

"The development is still in construction but with two years to go until the Games, it's fantastic to witness how well the village is progressing and to learn more about the venue that will be home to the athletes in 2014."

The three athletes were joined at the village by a host of high-profile dignitaries including Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Smith and Scotland's Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison.

"Athletes are at the heart of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and our commitment to delivering an athlete-centred and sports-focused Games is springing to life as we mark the two years to go milestone," said Smith.

"It's great to see the living accommodation for 6,500 athletes and officials starting to take shape and to see the world-class venues that are starting to emerge from building sites across Glasgow and Scotland."

Scottish hockey star Rhona Simpson (on ball)

Robison added that the Scottish Government are equally impressed with preparations.

"This is an important milestone in the countdown to Glasgow 2014," she said.

"With only days to go until the start of the Olympics, and Glasgow hosting Olympic football at Hampden Park later this week, excitement is building.

"I hope that we can maintain this momentum and inspire communities across the country to get involved in the Games and to celebrate the fact that this amazing event is happening right here in Scotland."

Following the Games, the Village will be further developed to become a residential area comprising a total of 1,400 homes, 300 of which will be available for social rental.

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