August 30 - Glasgow 2014 claims to have developed the first mobile phone app for a major multi-sport Games, which will allow users to look at the venues to be used for the Commonwealth Games, like the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, before they are even built.



Academics and students from Glasgow Caledonian University (CGU) have helped city pupils develop a digital guide to the  Commonwealth Games.

Engineering and computing experts have made the app which lets users explore Games venue which have not even been built yet.

It also lets people practice some of the sports.

Dr Lynne Baillie, from GCU’s School of Engineering and Computing, who is leading the project, said: "Glasgow’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games presented us with a fantastic opportunity to re-examine Glasgow’s sporting heritage, but in a very high-tech way.

"The phone app in particular is utilising technology that has only been around since 2009 and what we have done has never been attempted before - not for [the 2010 Commonwealth Games in] Delhi, not for [the] London [2012 Olympics and Paralympics] and not for the World Cup [in South Africa]."

The Co-Guide has been produced with pupils from Haghill Park Primary and Smithycroft Secondary in Riddrie.

Part of the project will be displayed in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the run-up to the 2014 Games.

Councillor Archie Graham, executive member for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, helped launch the technology at Celtic Park.

He said: "It is tremendously exciting to see the new landscape in the East End taking shape and enormously satisfying to hear how communities right across Glasgow are engaging with the process.

"The work Glasgow Caledonian University has being doing with East End school pupils is imaginative, innovative and a great way to help children understand the impact the 2014 Commonwealth Games will have on their lives."