By Gary Anderson

January 8 - EventScotland has called for Scotland to build a lasting legacy from hosting 2014 Commonwealth Games ©Glasgow 2014Scotland must "seize the opportunity" to build a lasting sporting legacy, claims the head of EventScotland, Paul Bush as the country gears up to host the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Ryder Cup at the Gleneagles this year.

With Glasgow 2014 set to welcome around 6,500 athletes taking part in the Commonwealth Games in July and August and Gleneagles staging golf's biggest tournament The Ryder Cup in September, chief operating officer at EventScotland, Bush warned event organisers and authorities in Scotland they need to focus on ensuring that the country builds on these events in the coming years to remain an attractive location for major international competitions in the future.

"Just because we have these events this year it does not mean that the job is over," said Bush.

"There are countries and cities, which have hosted similar events in recent history, which have subsequently fallen off the radar in terms of future development.

"Our focus is on ensuring we remain at the forefront of the global events industry and continue to work with our partners across the international sporting community to bring major properties to Scotland.

Tom Watson will captain the United States team at this year's Ryder Cup taking place at Gleneagles ©AFP/Getty ImagesTom Watson will captain the United States team at this year's Ryder Cup taking place at Gleneagles ©AFP/Getty Images

























"We must seize the 2014 opportunity to build on what we have achieved over the past decade.

"This year is truly unique for Scotland and I would challenge any other nation of our size to have two major events like The Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games within the space of three months.

"Scotland will not however, be complacent and indeed our thinking is already well into our programme for 2016 and beyond."

In 2015, Scotland will continue its trajectory as a prime sporting location as it will stage three World Championships.

Glasgow will host the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, as well as the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming World Championships, while the World Orienteering Championships are set to take place in Inverness.

In addition, St Andrews will host the 2015 Open Championship, with the Women's British Open taking place at Turnberry.

Scotland has ambitions of hosting the le Grand Depart of the Tour de France ©AFP/Getty ImagesScotland has ambitions of hosting the le Grand Depart of the Tour de France
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With the 2016 Open Championship already set for Royal Troon, EventScotland has also revealed that plans are in place to bid for the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships and the World Curling Championships, while there are also ambitions to host the Grand Depart of the Tour de France.

"EventScotland has been in the business for ten years, and we now have a solid platform and hold a reputation around the world as the perfect stage for events," added Bush.

"We have some ambitious targets, but we have proven ourselves against some of the biggest nations in the world in terms of our ability to attract, bid for and secure major events."

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