ATHLETICS legend Dame Kelly Holmes has fired the starting pistol for Glasgow's bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.
The city launched its bid for the event with a showcase of young talent at the Kelvingrove Museum yesterday, with double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly endorsing the UK's entrant for the Youth Games.
It comes after London 2012 chairman and 1980s Olympic hero Sebastian Coe gave his backing for the bid.
Glasgow faces competition from Buenos Aires in Argentina, Guadalajara in Mexico, Poznan in Poland, Medellin in Colombia and Rotterdam in the Netherlands for the right to host the 2018 event.
The British Olympic Association will now submit its final Youth Olympic Games, or YOG, file to the International Olympic Committee in October, with a shortlist drawn up next February.
The election to determine which city will host the third Youth Olympics will then be made in July 2013.
Dame Kelly said she had "fond memories" of competing in Glasgow, including at Scotstoun Stadium, where she won her first outdoor championship medal after Athens, and the Kelvin Hall. She also recalled competing in a mini-Youth Olympics aged 16.
Dame Kelly said: "Any athlete who's ever competed in Glasgow will tell you – this is a very special sports city. A Youth Olympics here would be an incredible way to kick-start the careers of the next generation of young athletes. They've got world-class facilities, a great history of hosting top sports events and some of the most passionate fans on the planet."
Chairman of the British Olympic Association Lord Moynihan said: "To be given the privilege of hosting the 2018 YOG would be an immense honour for Glasgow, Scotland and the UK."
City Council leader Gordon Matheson said: "Young people are at the very heart of our bid and will be our strongest voice as we go all out to bring the Youth Olympic Games to these shores for the first time."
Sport Minister Shona Robison said: "The Youth Olympic Games will provide young athletes with opportunity to compete at the top of their field, acting as an inspiration for young people throughout the world."
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