By Duncan Mackay at Commonwealth House in Glasgow

Bruce Robertson_at_CGF_CoCom_April_2012April 5 - Glasgow's preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games were praised today but at the same time they were warned that security still posed a potential risk while installing the athletics track at Hampden Park could be a problem.


The warnings were delivered by Bruce Robertson (pictured), the chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Coordination Commission, who completed their latest inspection here today.

Furthermore, the security budget will need to be "managed carefully" by the Scottish Government and the public safety bodies involved.

They echoed the findings of public watchdog Audit Scotland, who last month claimed that security costs for the Games may be "insufficient" and that there was a "real risk" they will rise.

But Robertson said that he was reassured that Glasgow 2014 were already in detailed discussions with the Scottish Government and the Home Office in London about compiling a security plan.

"While there is no time to waste, we are delighted with the progress the Organising Committee, the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland have made since we were here last in October 2011," he said.

"The partnership we have struck with these organisations is a truly collaborative one and, importantly, one of mutual respect which is geared towards great outcomes for Glasgow, Scotland and great Games for the Commonwealth.

"What we are seeing in Glasgow and in Scotland is a growing competency which will deliver not only great Games in 2014 but will continue to support the event-hosting platform Scotland has been building for some time."

Glasgow 2014 officials are currently studying the options to install an athletics track at Hampden Park, Scotland's national football stadium.

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The proposals include raising the surface by 1.9 metres to accommodate the track.

A similar plan was used for the 2006 Commonwealth Games when the athletics took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"It is a project that will take some time," said Robertson.

"Melbourne did the same thing so it is not an impossible plan.

"It has been well thought out but there are risks in overlying the track."

Lord Smith, the chairman of Glasgow 2014, was pleased with the report, which also praised the Organising Committee's "responsible approach to managing public money", noting that they remained on course to deliver the event within the budget of £524 million ($829 million/€635 million)

"We warmly welcome the Coordination Commission's report on Glasgow 2014's progress, and in particular the acknowledgement of our responsible approach to managing public funding and our culture of strong budget control," said Smith.

"Glasgow 2014 has made 'significant progress' in many critical areas since the last visit six months ago, including increasing staff numbers by 60 to 136 and making substantial headway in the detailed planning for individual venues.

"Glasgow 2014 has worked very hard to make partnership working integral to our approach, and we believe that with our Games Partners we will create a meaningful and lasting legacy for the people and communities of Glasgow and Scotland.

"The Commission has praised progress in realising the legacy ambitions of the Games Partners which is highly valued.

"With 839 days to go, we would wish to reiterate the sentiment of the Commission in that there is no time to waste.

"As Glasgow 2014 moves further into the detailed planning for the Games, we are confident about the progress made to date but by no means complacent about the scale of the task ahead."

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