Those pining for sporting excitement after the end of the momentous World Cup in Brazil have not had long to wait.
The XX Commonwealth Games, which open in Glasgow today, will be high on thrills in the velodrome, athletics arena, swimming pool and other venues, and the excitement on the field will be matched by the carnival atmosphere off it.
Glasgow, and Scotland, have taken the Games to heart. A city that never does things by halves, Glasgow has broken the Commonwealth record for the number of people coming forward as volunteers, with more than 50,000 people offering their services. Even the notoriously fickle Glasgow weather seems to be on side for once. A festive atmosphere is already lighting up the streets, with Glasgow's renowned friendliness already on display to the first newcomers. Glaswegians are not so much embracing the Games as hugging them to bits.
This is a huge opportunity, not only to showcase the city to visitors, athletes and international delegates but also to change the fortunes of deprived parts of the city. The impact of the Commonwealth Games should not be just for summer but for life. The experience of past Commonwealth and Olympics Games shows that investing in redevelopment and new venues can speed up a city's existing regeneration plans and boost socio-economic development. In Glasgow, the east end has seen major investments such as in the Emirates Arena, the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Tollcross International Swimming Centre, as well as the Athletes' Village which is to become housing after the Games. Those investments, and others, are already having a transformative effect in some of the city's most derpived areas.
With so much that is positive at stake, it would be a great pity if politicians with their eye on a different prize used the Games as a platform to score political points. The independence referendum should be kept out of the Games, since it has no bearing on them, except, it is to be hoped, in the Games serving as an example of honourable, fair and mutually respectful competition.
What should not be off limits, however, is discussion of basic human rights. On the eve of the Games, a whole raft of human rights abuses in Commonwealth nations are being highlighted by campaigners, including by Sri Lanka against its Tamil population, where the use of the Scottish Police College to train Sri Lankan police is causing controversy; the reintroduction of the death penalty in Singapore; and the persecution of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and inter-sex (LGBTI) people in 80 per cent of Commonwealth countries. Indeed, in Uganda, homosexuality is "punishable" by life imprisonment. Scottish politicians must seize this opportunity to address such concerns with visiting delegations. The XX Commonwealth Games cannot take place in a bubble, divorced from harsh realities.
None of that takes anything away, however, from the sheer fun and enjoyment the Games are set to bring. It should be a memorable 12 days.
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