Glasgow will become the first city in the world to simultaneously stage four Olympic-discipline cycling championships within its boundaries following a host city agreement (HCA) between the Glasgow 2018 European Championships and the Union of European Cycling (UEC).

The European Championships is a new multi-sport event that will see the continent’s leading athletes compete for career-defining moments of glory at world-class venues throughout Scotland. The first edition will be held in 2018 in a unique sporting partnership between Host Cities Glasgow and Berlin. It will combine the existing European Championships of athletics, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon along with a new golf team championships at the famous PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles.

Glasgow is host city for all events with the exception of athletics, which takes place in Berlin. Around 3,000 athletes will visit Scotland during the Championships while a further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin.

An action packed 11-day sports schedule will begin on August 2, 2018 with 10 days of television coverage providing a seamless viewing experience for a potential TV audience of more than one billion across Europe.

The four individual European Cycling Championships for road, track, BMX and mountain biking will all take place in Glasgow attracting 650 of Europe’s top cycling names to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome at the Emirates Arena, the Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike Trails, the streets of Glasgow and a new world championship and Olympic-standard BMX track to be built in the Knightswood area of the city.

The HCA with the Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC) pledges to deliver an event that elevates the status of European cyclist in all disciplines as they compete for the status of European champion.

David Lappartient, president of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme, said: “For the first time ever in cycling, four major European Championships will take place in the same city and will last two weeks. This is a historic moment for European cycling enabling us to forge ahead with our development programme.

“The city of Glasgow has always loved the bike and is an ideal venue for combining the tradition of Road and Track cycling with the modernity of BMX and Mountain Bike, in a setting that will be particularly appreciated by all fans and experienced cyclists.

“We are looking forward to this experience with great enthusiasm in the knowledge that these 2018 European Championships promise to be a great success.”

British Cycling’s cycling director, Jonny Clay, said: “It’s fantastic to have the European Championships coming to British soil. With the 2014 Commonwealth Games , a national road race championships, and two rounds of the track world cup all hosted in Glasgow, the city’s appetite for cycling knows no bounds and the Championships will no doubt draw the crowds from across Britain.”  

Glasgow’s Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome hosted the opening round of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup last November and the city also staged events for road, track and mountain biking during the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Glasgow 2018 will see a major BMX event come to the city for the first time ever and the new track at Knightswood will leave a lasting legacy for the sport in Scotland.

Glasgow 2018 Championships director Colin Hartley said: “Cycling has historically attracted wide support in Scotland and we are delighted to be bringing four different disciplines to Glasgow 2018.

“With cycling events spread across the city and competition on the streets and roads of Glasgow and surrounding areas, we hope to give as many people as possible the chance to see sporting history being created.

“Moreover the creation of a world-class Olympic standard BMX venue in Knightswood will provide a long-standing legacy for the sport beyond the Championships.”

The search is on to find more than 3,000 volunteers who will be the welcoming face of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships – an exciting new multi-sport event that brings together some of the continent’s leading sport.

Applications have officially opened with volunteers set to play an essential role in the experience offered to athletes, officials, media and spectators as they visit Glasgow and Scotland next year. Volunteers will support a wide range of functions from Spectator Services and Accreditation, to Transport and Media and much more.

The Glasgow 2018 Volunteer Programme was launched at Glasgow’s iconic Kelvin Hall, which recently reopened following a £35 million redevelopment. The launch event was attended a team of Glasgow 2018 Volunteering Champions and Still Game star Sanjeev Kohli, who has been named as an official Volunteering Ambassador.

Thousands of people over the age of 16 are expected to express an interest in joining the volunteer team in what will be one of the most ambitious and inclusive volunteering programmes ever undertaken in Scotland, with the Glasgow 2018 volunteers set to be right at the heart of the inaugural European Championships.

Glasgow 2018 is committed to ensuring that the Volunteer Programme is open to all, building on the success of previous programmes delivered in the city including the Host City Volunteers and the Homeless World Cup. Full support will be given to those wanting to be part of the team regardless of their experience or current circumstances.    

Glasgow 2018 Championships Director Colin Hartley said: “The Glasgow 2018 European Championships promises to be a memorable event for the whole city and our volunteers will be at its heart. From assisting elite athletes at venues to providing a friendly and welcoming face to the thousands of visitors arriving during Championships time, the volunteers will play an absolutely vital role in ensuring Glasgow 2018 is a success.

“Glaswegians are renowned for their generosity and friendliness and these are valued which we aim to reflect in our volunteers. This will be one of the most inclusive volunteer programmes ever delivered so we want to hear from everyone regardless of their previous experience or current circumstances. There is a real opportunity for you to play your part in sporting history by applying to become a Glasgow 2018 volunteer.”

To be staged every four years, the European Championships will combine the existing European Championships of Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon along with a new Golf team championships. The first edition will be held in 2018 in a unique sporting partnership between Host Cities Glasgow and Berlin.

This partnership will create a new event on the world stage elevating the status of European Champions and attracting a potential television audience of up to 1.03 billion across the continent, with a wider audience via digital platforms. Attendances across Glasgow 2018 are expected to be in the region of 250,000.

Applications will remain open up until July 31, 2017.

Glasgow 2018 is pleased to announce the Invitation To Tender (ITT) for Telecommunications and Network Integration Services contracts for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships – an exciting new multi-sport event that brings together some of Europe’s leading sporting competitions.

To be staged every four years the European Championships will combine the existing European Championships of Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon and a new team Golf event. The first edition will be held in the summer of 2018 in a unique sporting partnership between Host Cities Glasgow and Berlin.

Technology represents a critical dependency for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships throughout all phases of the lifecycle, from planning through to delivery, operations and dissolution. Glasgow 2018 is inviting suppliers to respond to the ITT to provide a services solution for one or both lots (Lot 1 – Telecommunication Service & Internet Access Connectivity (WAN Services), Lot 2 –Network Integration Services).

Glasgow 2018 is seeking to engage with companies for these services who not only have the appropriate level of experience, technical and resource capacity, but will also offer a flexible, creative and dynamic approach that is fully integrated with Glasgow 2018 and other stakeholders involved in the delivery of technology solutions for the Championships; collectively helping to ensure that the 2018 European Championships are the very best they can be.

The successful bidder for the Telecommunications Services contract will deliver services critical to Glasgow 2018 and provide vital connectivity to both competition and non-competition venues for the event and for client groups and stakeholders.  Services may include internet access ranging from consumer broadband to high-bandwidth leased line business services; basic telephony services and broadcast connectivity/circuits.

The successful bidder for the Network Integration Services contract will supply both wired and wireless LAN services, as well as Network Integration services to co-ordinate the delivery of technology services. This will include Network Design, Architecture & Security; Network Technology Integration; Network Technology Implementation; Programme Management of network services and Technology Service Management. Wired and wireless LAN connectivity will be required at both competition and non-competition venues to support the range of different client groups and stakeholders.

As part of the inaugural European Championships in 2018 around 3,000 athletes will visit Scotland for six events (Aquatics, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon) while a further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin as part of the European Athletics Championships. The event will build on Glasgow and Scotland’s track record of hosting major international events including the 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2014 Ryder Cup and 2015 World Gymnastics Championships.

The tender has been published on public contract Scotland. All details and a link to the tender can be found at http://www.glasgow2018.com/get-involved/procurement

Communities across Glasgow and Scotland are set to come alive in the summer of 2018 as part of a vibrant Cultural Festival being developed to run alongside the Glasgow 2018 European Championships – an exciting new multi-sport event that brings together some of the continent’s leading sports.

Glasgow’s iconic George Square will be the beating heart of the activities, bringing the city centre to life as a creative hub showcasing the very best of Scottish and Glaswegian culture. The city’s renowned Merchant City Festival, will also become an integral part of the celebrations in the summer of 2018.

The Men’s and Women’s Road Race events at Glasgow 2018 will also pass through George Square, providing a stunning backdrop for one of the key sporting moments during the Championships and further enhancing the city centre activation plans.

Glasgow will also work in close collaboration with 2018 European Championships co-host Berlin to highlight the considerable creative expertise of both cities in a ground-breaking cultural partnership. At the same time Glasgow will also work with partner Local Authorities ensuring that communities across the country are part of the celebrations.  

To be staged every four years, the European Championships will combine the existing European Championships of Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon along with a new Golf team championships. The first edition will be held in 2018 in a unique sporting partnership between Host Cities Glasgow and Berlin.

This partnership will create a new event on the world stage elevating the status of European Champions and attracting a potential television audience of up to 1.03 billion across the continent, with a wider audience via digital platforms. Attendances across Glasgow 2018 are expected to be in the region of 250,000.

Staged alongside the elite sporting competition (2–12 August 2018), the action-packed programme of cultural activities will capitalise on Glasgow and Scotland’s international reputation for creative and artistic excellence and secure the cultural legacy of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games across four key themes:

·        2018 The Year of Young People

·        Movement, physical activity and sport

·        Cultural collaborations with host Local Authorities, Berlin and Europe

·        The 150th anniversary of the birth of Charles Rennie Mackintosh

The cultural programme will work across all platforms including theatre, dance, music, digital, comedy and visual arts performances, bringing communities to life alongside the 11 days of world-class sporting action.

The announcement coincides with the “500 Days To Go” milestone with further information on how arts organisations and local communities can become part of the cultural celebrations to be confirmed over the coming months.

A similar programme of activities was delivered by the city during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, ensuring that non-sports fans were part of the overall event experience and organisers are committed to ensuring the same is the case during the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “The Glasgow 2018 European Championships are a direct legacy of Scotland hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games and The Ryder Cup. The Cultural Festival secures the legacy further and ensures Scotland continues to be recognised as a global leader in the delivery of sporting and cultural events. EventScotland is proud to be part of the team helping deliver the Championships that will once again show Scotland as the perfect stage for events.”

Dr Bridget McConnell, Chair of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships Board, said: “Glasgow is Scotland’s sporting, creative and cultural powerhouse and we know how to celebrate in style. During the Glasgow 2018 European Championships the city and nation will, once again, come alive with a fantastic celebration of our finest artistic talents. We’re counting down the days until Glasgow shines once more on a global stage.”

Glasgow has the greatest concentration of creative industries in Scotland, with more than 5,000 people employed in the cultural sector directly and more than 25,000 employed in the arts and creative industries more widely.

The Glasgow 2018 European Championships will build on Glasgow and Scotland’s reputation for hosting world-class sporting and cultural events including the 2014 Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup, Radio 1’s Big Weekend and the MTV European Music Awards. Pre-registration for priority access to tickets currently available at www.glasgow2018.com for a limited time.

As part of the inaugural European Championships in 2018 around 3,000 athletes will visit Scotland for six events (Aquatics, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon) while a further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin as part of the European Athletics Championships.

Source: Glasgow 2018

Independent specialist in telecoms and information technology FarrPoint has been appointed by Glasgow City Council to advise on the internet connectivity and telecommunications networks for the forthcoming Glasgow 2018 European Championships – an exciting new multi-sport event that brings together the continent’s leading sporting competitions
The technology consultants will ensure that the best solutions are chosen and implemented to provide the event with vital wired and wireless Internet services, telephony and broadcast connectivity.
FarrPoint has expertise in specialist broadband, infrastructure and telecommunications networks, having worked across the UK on connectivity projects with both the private and public sectors including previous work on several major international sporting events.
FarrPoint CEO, Andrew Muir, said: “It is essential that events such as the European Championships have the right technology in place from the outset. The network needs to meet the demands and stresses that will be put on it by a large number of diverse users. The correct infrastructure and connectivity is vital in ensuring that the event runs smoothly and meets the expectations of not only the organisers and competitors but the public and the media too. We are delighted to have been appointed to advise on the project.”
As one of the world’s top five sporting cities Glasgow is known across the globe for hosting major international sporting events. It will take the next step on its proud sporting journey in the summer of 2018 when around 3,000 athletes compete in the Championships in front of a potential TV audience of up to 1.03 billion.
The partnership with FarrPoint, who have a proven track record for delivering large-scale projects, will ensure that a robust technology solution is in place to meet the demands of everyone involved in the Championships.
Glasgow 2018 will be staged in August 2018 as part of the inaugural European Championships with athletes competing in six events across Scotland – cycling, aquatics, golf, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon. A further 1500 will compete in Berlin, which will host the athletics part of the event.  
FarrPoint is an independent consultancy based in Edinburgh advising organisations throughout the UK on telecoms, IT and technology.

Gleneagles, the world-renowned luxury hotel, has been unveiled as an Official Supporter of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships – an exciting new multi-sport event that will see Gleneagles make golfing history as host of the first ever European Golf Team Championships.

The news comes a week after the announcement of Atos as Glasgow 2018’s first Official Supporter.

To be staged every four years, the European Championships will combine the existing European Championships of Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon. The first edition will be held in 2018 in a unique sporting partnership between Host Cities Glasgow and Berlin.

The European Golf Team Championships is the only new event being staged as part of Glasgow 2018 and will take place at the famous Jack Nicklaus-designed Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course – the same venue that hosted Europe’s memorable victory over the USA in the 2014 Ryder Cup.

The Championships promise to be a game changing moment for golf, with Europe’s elite men and women set to compete together for the first time. It is backed by the European Tour and Ladies European Tour and will include a men’s and women’s event along with a ground-breaking mixed competition.  

Host Venue and Official Supporter Gleneagles is home to some of the best golf facilities in the world including three championship courses and the PGA National Golf Academy. Gleneagles is a former long-standing European Tour and Ladies European Tour venue and has unrivalled experience of hosting international events such as The Ryder Cup.

The European Golf Team Championships will also build on Scotland’s reputation as the perfect stage for major events such as The Open, Scottish Open and Women’s British Open as well as major one-off events like The Ryder Cup and The Solheim Cup.

Aileen Campbell MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Sport, said: “Gleneagles has staged many prestigious golf tournaments through its history and was the home to what many regard as the best Ryder Cup ever in 2014. In 2018 Gleneagles will be the magnificent setting for European Championships and will see elite men and women golfers compete together for the first time. 

“In 2014 the Ryder Cup players spoke about the top class facilities, an enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowd and left with good memories and we know it will be the same for those taking part in the inaugural European Championships in 2018.”

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The European Championships will be a new highlight on the global sporting calendar, set to be played out in front of a potential television audience of up to one billion people.

“Gleneagles is a world leader when it comes to golf and we are delighted that they will play such a crucial role in the delivery of the new European Golf Team Championships, which will be a real first for world sport.

“Glasgow is the gateway to Scotland and partnerships such as this with Gleneagles will help us bring one million more people to the city as part of Glasgow’s Tourism and Visitor Plan to 2023.”

Bernard Murphy, Gleneagles’ Managing Director, said: “We’re proud to be associated with what will be a ground-breaking moment in sporting history. The event will build on Gleneagles’ long history of raising the bar in golf and breaking cultural boundaries in sport – including the first match between British and American professionals in 1921.

“We look forward to continuing that tradition at the European Golf Team Championships, when Europe’s leading men and women compete together for the first time, in what will be a real historic moment for the sport.

“We are therefore delighted to be announced as an Official Supporter of Glasgow 2018, and look forward to delivering an inspiring event that will strengthen Gleneagles’ reputation as one of the foremost golfing venues in the world.”

Attendances across Glasgow 2018 are expected to be in the region of 250,000 with registration for priority access to tickets currently available at www.glasgow2018.com for all sports including golf.

As part of the inaugural European Championships in 2018 around 3,000 athletes will visit Scotland for six events (Aquatics, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon) while a further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin as part of the European Athletics Championships.

Atos, a leader in digital transformation, has been confirmed as the first Official Supporter of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships as a Timing, Scoring and Results (TSR) provider.

The announcement follows the highly successful participation of both Atos and Glasgow 2018 in Host City 2016 Conference and Exhibition in November. Glasgow 2018 exhibited at Host City 2016, while Kulveer Ranger, ‎Vice President Strategy & Communications at Atos UK & I spoke on a panel discussion alongside Julian Ternisien, Head of Sports Rights, European Broadcasting Union - the broadcast partner of the European Championships.

Atos Group is also Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic & Paralympic Games.

Glasgow 2018 is an exciting new multi-sport event that brings together some of Europe’s leading sporting competitions.

Excitement continues to build ahead of Glasgow 2018, which promises to be a new highlight on the global sporting calendar and will build on Scotland’s reputation for delivering world-class sporting and cultural events.

Starting in 2018, the European Championships will be staged every four years and will combine the existing European Championships of Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon with a new Golf team event. The first edition will be held in a unique sporting partnership between Host Cities Glasgow and Berlin.

Atos will provide the Timing, Scoring, Results and TV graphics service for Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics and Triathlon, as well as the TV graphics highlights package for all sports, providing a seamless viewing experience for a potential TV audience of over one billion across Europe.

Aileen Campbell MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Sport, said: “The 2018 European Championships provides Scotland with an exceptional opportunity to build on the success of hosting major events such as the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup over recent years. It will help us to further enhance our reputation as a world class venue for international sporting events.”

Councillor Archie Graham OBE, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Glasgow’s sporting reputation has never been higher thanks to our international sporting events programme. The European Championships will see us embark on the next stage of this proud sporting journey in partnership with Europe’s leading sports.

“Atos is a world leader when it comes to providing digital services for major sporting events and has shown time and time again that they can deliver on the global stage.

Their proven experience will put Glasgow 2018 in the best possible position to deliver a truly world-class event for athletes and spectators alike.”

Gavin Thomson, Senior Vice President, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and Big Data and Security UK&I at Atos said: “We are confident that the Glasgow 2018 European Championships will be a great success. Atos was delighted to play a leading role in Glasgow 2014 - an event seen as one of the best Commonwealth Games ever staged.”

Marta Sanfeliu Ribot, Chief Operating Officer, Major Events, Atos said: “We have delivered innovative IT solutions for the Olympic and Paralympic Games for more than 20 years and once again the digital transformation involved in bringing events like Glasgow 2018 to an increasingly sophisticated worldwide audience is a challenge we relish. Glasgow has an internationally acclaimed reputation for hosting major sporting events and this is another key opportunity to showcase the city, the athletes and the support sponsors involved.”

Scottish Triathlete Marc Austin, who staged a memorable performance at Strathclyde Country Park, during the 2014 Commonwealth Games said: “It is fantastic to see a world-renowned brand like Atos lend their name to the Glasgow 2018 European Championships and it confirms how highly regarded this event will be.

“The feeling of competing in front of a home crowd at the Commonwealth Games is something that will live with me forever and I’ll be working hard to gain that experience again at 2018. The addition of the Triathlon Age Group Championships will create a real carnival atmosphere at Strathclyde Country Park and everyone in the Triathlon community is looking forward to it.”

As part of the inaugural European Championships in 2018 around 3,000 athletes will visit Scotland for six events (Aquatics, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon) while a further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin as part of the European Athletics Championships.

The event will build on Glasgow and Scotland’s track record of hosting major international events including the 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2014 Ryder Cup and 2015 World Gymnastics Championships.

About the 2018 European Championships

1. The 2018 European Championships will be staged by the European Federations and the Host Cities of Glasgow and Berlin.

2. The Glasgow 2018 event will be held between 2nd and 12th August and the European Athletics Championships will be between 7th and 12th August in Berlin.

3. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the umbrella body for Europe free-to-air channels, will be the broadcast partner for the Championships. There is a potential television audience of around 1.03 billion for the event with many more viewers across multiple digital platforms.

4. Around 3,000 athletes will travel to Scotland as part of a total delegation of around 8,500 including officials, media and others. A further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin.

5. The European Aquatic Championships will take place at Glasgow's Tollcross International Swimming Centre, with diving taking place at Edinburgh's Royal Commonwealth Pool, synchronised swimming at Scotstoun Sports Campus and open water swimming being staged at Loch Lomond.

6. Four European Cycling Championships will be staged in Glasgow and its metropolitan area. Track, Road, Mountain Bike and BMX will attract 650 of Europe’s top names to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, the Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike Trails, the streets of Glasgow and a new world championship and Olympic standard BMX track to be built in the Knightswood area of the city.

7. The European Golf Team Championships will take place at the Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course in Perth & Kinross.

8. The European Artistic Gymnastics Men’s and Women’s Championships will be staged at The SSE Hydro, the venue for the 2015 FIG World Gymnastics Championships.

9. The European Championships for both Rowing and Triathlon will both be staged at Strathclyde Country Park in North Lanarkshire.

10.Berlin's Olympic Stadium will be the venue for the European Athletics Championships with the road races and race walking events held throughout the city.

About Atos

Atos SE (Societas Europaea) is a leader in digital transformation with circa 100,000 employees in 72 countries and pro forma annual revenue of circa EUR 12 billion. Serving a global client base, the Group is the European leader in Big Data, Cybersecurity, Digital Workplace and provides Cloud services, Infrastructure & Data Management, Business & Platform solutions, as well as transactional services through Worldline, the European leader in the payment industry.

With its cutting edge technologies, digital expertise and industry knowledge, the Group supports the digital transformation of its clients across different business sectors: Defence, Financial Services, Health, Manufacturing, Media, Utilities, Public sector, Retail, Telecommunications, and Transportation. The Group is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic & Paralympic Games and is listed on the Euronext Paris market. Atos operates under the brands Atos, Atos Consulting, Atos Worldgrid, Bull, Canopy, Unify and Worldline.

Atos is the worldwide IT partner of the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee. The global company has provided IT solutions to the Olympic Games since 1992 and to the Paralympic Games since 2002. Atos was a crucial partner in the digital transformation of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and played a key role in the delivery of the Games Management and Information Systems to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Glasgow has signed a formal agreement to stage the 2018 European Triathlon Union (ETU) European Triathlon Championships as part of the inaugural 2018 European Championships.

The ETU event gives the chance for athletes from across a wide range of ages to be part of the 2018 European Championships – a new multi-sport event that brings together some of Europe’s leading sporting competitions.

Approximately 160 triathletes will head to Strathclyde Country Park in North Lanarkshire for three elite events (men’s, women’s and mixed relay) and 1,200 age group participants will also get the opportunity to represent their nation on the same course.

ETU president Renato Bertrandi said: “I am delighted that triathlon has been invited to be part of this new development. Triathlon is no longer a new sport but it is one of the youngest and still growing. We see whole families now attending races and the message from our sport is clear, ‘triathlon is inclusive, triathlon is good, triathlon is a way of life’.

“I was unable to attend the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow but many of my technical officials were there and from their first-hand accounts and from watching the coverage on TV, it is clear that not only were the Games a huge success but also that the city was one of the most welcoming. The athletes enjoyed the atmosphere there and the public were fantastic.

“I am also very pleased that our sport, based upon inclusivity, has traditionally seen Age-Group athletes racing at the same venue for championships and 2018 will be no different with thousands of athletes, from 16 to over 80 years of age, racing the Sprint Distance, making the journey to Scotland and to Glasgow to be part of this great sporting celebration.”

Colin Hartley, Glasgow 2018 Championships director, added: “Glasgow’s sporting reputation has never been higher having delivered some of the world’s most prestigious events in recent years. We are determined to build on that position in 2018 and deliver an outstanding European Championships.

“Triathlon will be at the very heart of the European Championships and we will do all that we can to continue the proud traditions of the sport, elevating the status of European triathletes. At the same time we are looking forward to staging the Age Group Championships, giving people of all ages the chance to represent their country.

“The triathlon course at Strathclyde Country Park proved popular with athletes and spectators alike during the 2014 Commonwealth Games and by working closely with our partners at North Lanarkshire we will ensure it will be even better this time around.”

Scottish triathlete Marc Austin, who staged a memorable race at the 2014 Commonwealth Games Triathlon event, said: “It's fantastic that the European Triathlon Union have signed the Host City agreement with Glasgow 2018. It's certainly going to be one of the biggest triathlon events we've ever seen in Scotland. It's just great to have these big events coming to Scotland.”

To be staged every four years the European Championships will combine the existing European Championships of athletics, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon and a new team golf event. The first edition will be held in the summer of 2018 in a unique sporting partnership between Europe’s leading sports federations, host cities Glasgow and Berlin, and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

As part of the inaugural European Championships in 2018 approximately 3,025 athletes will visit Scotland for six events (aquatics, cycling, golf, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon) while a further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin as part of the European Athletics Championships.

The event will build on Glasgow and Scotland’s track record of hosting major international events including the 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2014 Ryder Cup and 2015 World Gymnastics Championships.

The European Championships is being held for the first time in 2018 in a unique partnership between Europe’s leading sports federations, the Host Cities of Glasgow and Berlin and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). This sporting partnership will create a new event on the world stage elevating the status of European Champions and attracting a potential television audience of up to 1.03 billion across the continent, with a wider audience via digital platforms.

To be staged every four years the European Championships will combine the existing European Championships of Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon with a new Golf team event. Glasgow is Host City for all events with the exception of Athletics, which takes place in Berlin.

Around 3,000 athletes will visit Scotland during the Championships while a further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin.

And organisers have today agreed on an 11-day sports programme (2-12 August 2018), with 10 days of television coverage starting on Friday 3 August. The news comes just two months after the EBU confirmed that over 35 of its members, including the BBC, have now signed up to show the first edition of the new multi-sport concept in 2018.

Other EBU members already signed up include VRT (Belgium), HRT (Croatia), DT (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RTE (Ireland), NOS (Netherlands), NRK (Norway), TVP (Poland), SRG SSR (Switzerland), and SVT and TV4 (Sweden). The level of coverage for the inaugural European Championships is also enhanced by a deal with Eurosport.

As part of the confirmed sports programme synchronised swimming will now take place at Scotstoun Sports Campus in Glasgow, allowing the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh to focus on delivering a world-class diving competition. The move means both diving and synchronised swimming will benefit from enhanced broadcast coverage.

The 11-day sports programme contains two action packed weekends that will see venues across Glasgow and Scotland come alive as Europe’s finest athletes do battle in a bid to be crowned European champion.

Aileen Campbell, Scottish Government Minister for Sport, said: “The Championships are an excellent platform to showcase to a global audience just how good Scotland is at hosting major events, and the fact we are going to have 11 action packed days of sport only adds to that spectacle.

“We have an outstanding track record of successfully hosting events watched across the world and I’m sure that people across Scotland will welcome athletes and give them an experience that they’ll never forget.”

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Excitement is building ahead of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, with the final sports programme ensuring that Glasgow will continue to shine on the global stage.

“The fact that the city will be hosting an event watched by a potential television audience of one billion people is a golden opportunity for us. We will use the magical moments that the athletes, our fantastic home crowd and our many visitors will create to showcase everything we have to offer as a visitor destination.”

European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen, co-chair of the European Championships Board, said: “The European Sports Federation members of the 2018 Board are fully supportive of having an overall programme that will deliver a schedule packed with exciting finals and gold-medal moments for television. We all believe in the power of aggregation and the benefits for our sports that come from bringing our championships together in this exciting new event.”

Fellow co-chair Paolo Barelli, President of the Ligue Européenne de Natation (European Aquatics), said: “The sports programme in Glasgow will start with a number of qualifying rounds on Thursday 2 August before a packed weekend of sport on television starting on Friday 3 August. This optimised 10-day television program will create a fantastic viewing experience with audiences able to follow finals in multiple sports across the day and evening, with great storytelling opportunities for broadcasters. Indeed, it will intensify even further the power of aggregation that this European Championships provides.”

Stefan Kuerten, Director of Eurovision Services and Sports Rights, said: “We are very happy with this exciting 10-day television schedule for the 2018 European Championships. In a multi-sport event, you can choose between the different sports and the opportunity to follow your national athletes across a variety of sport.

“Television and radio channels will be able to switch from one highly attractive sport to another without interrupting their program and digital platforms will propose a large choice of content which will accommodate all viewers. Furthermore, it creates a close synergy between Glasgow and Berlin, with broadcasters able to crisscross between events in both cities as they follow their respective national medal hopes.

Glasgow 2018 will build on Scotland’s track record of hosting major international events including the 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2014 Ryder Cup and 2015 World Gymnastics Championships.

Download the programme for Glasgow 2018 here: DOWNLOAD PROGRAMME

Visit www.glasgow2018.com for further information on the Glasgow 2018 European Championships and to register for priority access to tickets, which go on sale this summer. 

[Source: EventScotland]