Glasgow is currently bidding against Buenos Aires in Argentina and Medellin in Colombia for the right to stage the 2018 Youth Olympics with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) set to elect the host city in Lausanne on July 4.

Coe, who spearheaded the London 2012 bid to victory in Singapore in 2005 before successfully leading the Organising Committee as chairman, joined the bid team in the Scottish city where he backed Glasgow to host the 2018 Youth Olympics four years after it stages the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

He was visiting Glasgow in his role as chairman of the British Olympic Association, having replaced Colin Moynihan last November.

"Hosting the Youth Olympic Games in 2018 would allow Glasgow and the UK to continue to inspire a generation internationally, in their own language," said Coe, referring to the "inspire a generation" motto of London 2012.

"I'm proud to be sharing the journey with the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Glasgow 2018 as we bid to host the Youth Olympic Games."

Coe's visit to Glasgow came as the bid team revealed their global Youth Olympic Games twinning programme called Hand in Hand.

The initiative will be created should Glasgow 2018 win the bid as part of the proposed Culture and Education Programme project.


It would start in schools ahead of the Games to build on the extensive twinning work already happening in Glasgow to enable young people to share cultures, develop as global citizens and learn to respect and value their differences.

During the Games a "world market" in the Youth Olympic Village would then represent countries across the globe, providing a shared forum for young athletes and local young people to take part in activities.

Local young people would create these stalls as a way of welcoming and befriending their athlete friends.

"The Commonwealth Games will see Glasgow offer a warm and inclusive welcome to the world, alongside 11 days of spectacular sport that will leave a great legacy for young people across Scotland," said Scotland's Minister for Commonwealth and Sport Shona Robison.

"Whether it's aspiring to be sporting heroes, discovering new connections with Commonwealth countries or gaining training or employment, the Games legacy will offer an unparalleled platform to build on and host an inspiring Youth Olympic Games."

Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson has also given his backing.

"Our city has a proud history of making its presence felt on the world stage," he said.

"In our next generation, we now have a population of increasingly confident global citizens who strive to project the values of excellence, friendship and respect so cherished by the Olympic Family."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2013: Glasgow through to last three of 2018 Summer Youth Olympics contest
February 2013: Glasgow 2018 Youth Olympic bid team reach out to 36,000 primary schoolchildren
February 2013: Celtic Connections Festival enhances Glasgow 2018 Culture and Education Programme for Youth Olympics bid
January 2013: Glasgow 2018 Youth Olympics bid boosted after city secures right to host Turner Prize
January 2013: Glasgow to invest £80 million in local children to boost 2018 Youth Olympic Games bid