By Tom Degun

David Cameron__leader_of_Glasgow_City_Council_Gordon_MathesonJuly 31 - Glasgow's bid for the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games has received a boost after Prime Minister David Cameron threw his support behind it, following a visit to the Scottish city today after the early success of London 2012.

The Prime Minister made the journey to watch around 100 aspiring young sports stars compete at a summer camp at Scotstoun Stadium in the heart of the city alongside the Leader of Glasgow City Council Gordon Matheson (pictured above).

Cameron also spent time with the young people watching action from the Olympics on big screens at the facility before claiming that a successful 2018 bid would provide a guaranteed legacy from both London 2012 and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

"I am delighted to give my backing to Glasgow's bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympics and sustain the momentum of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games," Cameron said.

"Whilst the Youth Olympics may not turn every child into tomorrow's Chris Hoy or Hannah Miley, I am convinced that if we can bring the Games to the UK, we will help even more young people develop a sporting habit for life.

David Cameron__Leader_of_Glasgow_City_Council_Councillor_Gordon_MathesonDavid Cameron joins Council Leader Gordon Matheson to talk to Glasgow's young people

"The tremendous legacy of the 2012 Games is not just about stadiums and the economy; it is also about young people.

"All our great athletes started at a young age and I believe that the Youth Olympics is about opening young people's eyes to the possibility of sport and inspiring the next generation of Olympic heroes."

The Glasgow 2018 bid is made up of a partnership between the Scottish Government, the Glasgow City Council and the British Olympic Association (BOA).

The three-person Bid Board consists of BOA chairman, Colin Moynihan, Scotland's Minister for the Commonwealth Games, Shona Robison and Councillor Matheson, who admitted he was happy to see the Prime Minister throw his emphatic support behind the bid.

"Being in Scotstoun today and seeing the excitement and enthusiasm that our young people have for sport and for the Olympic Games showed exactly why Glasgow would be the perfect host city for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games," said Matheson.

David Cameron__Glasgow_School_of_Sport_athletics_coach_Norrie_Hay__MSP_Ruth_DavidsonDavid Cameron talks to Glasgow School of Sport athletics coach, Norrie Hay and MSP Ruth Davidson

"A real strength of our bid is that it has the support of Government of all levels and we are delighted that the Minister is backing the bid.

"We have a shared commitment to bringing the Youth Olympic Games to Glasgow.

"We are a proud sporting city and have a proven track record of delivering world-class sporting events but over and above that, we have a very real commitment to young people.

"They are our champions and they will be our strongest voice as we work to win the right to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games."

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