Letters / Sports funding
Research demonstrates that London 2012 inspired a new passion for sport across the UK with Glasgow set to be the next biggest multi-sports games, bringing athletes to compete in Scotland already benefiting from the “Olympic bounce”.
The way the Scottish people embraced Team GB and the 2012 London Olympics reveals an existing truth about Scottish identity: that the vast majority of Scots see no contradiction between being a patriotic Scot and being part of Great Britain.
The Queen’s Baton Relay, launched at Buckingham Palace on 9 October, 2013, a tradition of the Commonwealth Games, symbolises the coming together of all nations and territories, in preparation for the four-yearly festival of sport and culture.
The baton carries a handwritten message, on handmade parchment, made in Glasgow, from head of the Commonwealth, the Queen, entrusting the baton to the first relay runner, veteran Scottish athlete Alan Wells. As a key contributor to the games, the baton’s epic journey covers 70 participating nations and territories to compete in the host city Glasgow on 23 July 2014.
The games programme, administered by Event Scotland, is delivered by local authorities. Communities across the country welcome the Queen’s baton which gives everyone a chance to take part in events and enjoy the excitement and countdown to Scotland’s biggest-ever sporting and cultural event. This enthusiasm spilled over in Shetland when the baton arrived here on 1 July.
The price tag on the Games has risen to £563 million. More than £150 million over budget since Glasgow won the bid in 2007. The bill for the games will be split between SNP government contributing £344m, Glasgow City Council £80m and commercial income of £100m raised by the organising committee. There are investments through sponsorship, marketing and ticket sales.
Support is the key to the successful delivery of athlete centred sport. Sponsors/partners/providers welcome their commitment to Glasgow and Scotland by investing in an unforgettable event.
Being part of the UK, this is currently possible. However, would it be as easy to access these investments in an Independent Scotland?
The following, correct at 10 August 2013 regarding nine Scottish athletes: Chris Hoy; Tim Baillie; David Florence; Scott Brash; Michael Jamieson; Andy Murray; Katherine Grainger; Sophie Hosking; Luke Patience.
The information states:
• All nine trained at UK-governed facilities.
• Except Andy Murray, all were funded through UK lottery funding.
• Except Michael Jamieson, all had English/Welsh/N. Ireland teammates.
• Except Scott Brash, all live in England.
Scotland and Team GB are clearly better together.
It’s not only top athletes that benefit from lottery funding. To date the UK National Lottery has granted £2.3 billion towards good causes in Scotland, including £301 million in the arts; £1 billion in community projects; £571 million in heritage projects; £246m in millennium projects and £169 million in sport.
It is worth remembering that access to grant funding for various events and charities are dependent on the UK National Lottery. The fact is it’s called a national lottery not an international lottery. You cannot buy a ticket in France or Norway, so why would it run or remain available in an independent Scotland?
The Scottish electorate have the right to ask what would happen to lottery funding for Scottish athletes and other charities if Scotland secedes from the UK?
When the cost of independence has yet to be ascertained by the Scottish Government, would there be a creditable answer?
Andrina Tulloch
Salamander, Quarff
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