I was reminded by one of the many tribute programmes last week to mark his passing of the special link between Nelson Mandela and the city of Glasgow.

In short, the council there awarded him the freedom of the city as early as 1981 - nine years before his release from what he termed "my ten thousand days of imprisonment" at the hands of the apartheid state, in February 1990.

Another gesture by the Scottish city in 1986 had seen the area where the building housing the South African consulate-general was located renamed Nelson Mandela Place.

Three and a half years after his release, Mandela was able finally to visit Glasgow to thank its citizens for their support.

"While we were physically denied our freedom in the country of our birth," he told them, "a city 6,000 miles away, and as renowned as Glasgow, refused to accept the legitimacy of the apartheid system, and declared us to be free."

There is a special link between Nelson Mandela and the city of Glasgow ©AFP/Getty Images


The story made me think how fitting it would be if this special relationship between the city on the Clyde and South Africa's first black President could somehow be commemorated during the Commonwealth Games that will open in Glasgow next July.

I wondered, for example, whether an event such as the shot put, which has shown itself to be eminently portable in recent times, might be staged at Nelson Mandela Place.

I have to admit that my knowledge of the city's geography, having made just a few short visits, is lamentably sketchy.

However, I am informed by one much better versed in the particulars that space around Mandela Place is limited, which might make putting on an event there difficult, particularly given the large crowds that could well be attracted.

Nelson Mandela visited Glasgow to thank its citizens for their support three and a half years after his release from prison ©AFP/Getty Images


Perhaps, then, that is not the answer, but I still think something should be done.

As David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 chief executive, himself observed: "Mr Mandela was a great supporter of the Commonwealth Games movement...He will always hold a special place in Glasgow's heart."

Let's use what promises to be an uplifting and relatively informal celebration of human diversity in part to honour the example set by the greatest statesman of our age.

Over to you, Glasgow.

David Owen worked for 20 years for the Financial Times in the United States, Canada, France and the UK. He ended his FT career as sports editor after the 2006 World Cup and is now freelancing, including covering the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2010 World Cup and London 2012. Owen's Twitter feed can be accessed here.