THE Commonwealth Games in 2014 was good for Glasgow: there was a warm, friendly atmosphere in the city; the opening ceremony was a fine celebration of Scottish culture and, after the games were over, the Athletes’ Village – which was home to 7,000 competitors and officials – was transformed into a community of 300 private homes, 400 homes for social rent and a new 120-bed care home for the elderly. For the east end of the city in particular, there were real physical benefits.
But what of that promise by the organisers that Glasgow 2014 would inspire the nation to become more active? Sadly, it looks like that has not come to pass with a new national survey showing that rates of physical activity are almost the same as they were before Glasgow 2014 took place.
There have been some signs of hope, such as a very slight increase in exercise levels among children in the year of the games itself, but as for any longer-term legacy on physical activity, it would appear it has not materialised.
In many ways, the result was only to be expected. The Games was a fantastic fillip and wonderful to watch, but the lack of physical activity among Scots, as well as our shocking levels of obesity – the same survey found 65 per cent of adults are overweight or obese – cannot be solved by a single sporting event. The London Olympic also tried and failed.
Undoubtedly, the Glasgow Games did inspire local events, and initiatives such as new walking routes, but rates of activity will only change when there is profound cultural change encouraged and funded by the Scottish Government. And if a greater enthusiasm for sport is to reach the areas where it is needed most, local sports facilities also have to be protected from cuts.
Glasgow 2014 was a superb event, and good for the city, Scotland and the Commonwealth, but the country’s health problems need a more complex, long-term and expensive solution.
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