‘I TOOK part in a debate in the Scottish Parliament about how to achieve a lasting legacy for Scotland from hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The Commonwealth Games proved a sensational success and I would like to start by congratulating all of those who helped to make them such a successful and memorable event. The officials and administrators, the police, our armed forces, all deserve special praise for the excellent work they did to support the outstanding athletes who took part and, of course, Team Scotland for their record medal haul. Over the eleven days of Glasgow 2014 we witnessed competition of the very highest order and I was not surprised to hear Mike Hooper, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, say they were ‘the standout Games in the history of the movement.’ With the fun and excitement of the games now passed, I don’t think anyone can doubt the extent of the challenge which we face when it comes to the provision of a meaningful and lasting legacy. For example, to increase the number who participate in sport, the reduction in obesity levels, or how much additional money is focused on our future sports men and women. But it is not just about numbers. It is also about the quality of what happens.

For many years the focus has been placed on providing top class facilities for sport. At a recent meeting of the cross party sport group, I heard that 50% of senior schools now have good quality sport facilities, but many of them remain underused. What is most important then is to change public culture and attitudes to facilitate sporting participation and development.

The Games revealed some inspirational examples of our young sports men and women’s determination and hard work. Erraid Davies, the 13 year-old Shetland swimmer who won bronze in the 100m para-breastroke, showed how much can be achieved even with modest means. The pool she trains in in Brae was a mere one third the length of the 50m pool she won her medal in. Indeed, you could fit nine Brae pools into Glasgow’s Toll Cross International Swimming Centre. Davies’ commitment to her sport is remarkable – she often completes her homework by the poolside and trains twice a day despite living 45 minutes away from the pool. Her dedication highlights the importance of getting the most out of the facilities we have.

It is also worth noting that many of Scotland’s Commonwealth sports stars benefitted from their involvement with Team GB. Ross Murdoch, whose face was a picture of stunned joy when he beat Michael Jameson in the 200m breast-stroke final, was mentored by the now retired Olympic legend Rebecca Adlington. Chris Hoy reflected on the first time he walked into the Manchester velodrome at the age of 18 saying ‘it was just fantastic to realise we had this amazing facility in Britain. That was the start of all this success.’ Scottish gymnastics gold medallists Dan Purvis and Dan Keatings have greatly benefitted from training with other GB athletes. Purvis conducts much of his training in Southport while Keatings trains with Olympic medallist GB team mate, Louis Smith, at Huntingdon Olympic Gymnastics club. What this highlights is that there is a seamless web between competing for Scotland and also the UK.

So let’s toast the success of Team Scotland in the Commonwealth Games, but the focus must now shift to delivering a real and lasting legacy that will be felt within every community in Scotland. The Scottish Government must use the opportunities which the games have provided to realise the sporting, economic, and cultural gains which the games can bring. If we do this then I hope that all of Scotland can benefit from these Games.

As an MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife I am always available to help local constituents with any problems and can be contacted on the following: Elizabeth Smith MSP, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP Tel: 0131 348 5000Email:elizabeth.smith.msp@scottish.parliament.uk’