John Swinney hails ‘Scotland the Brave’ at Commonwealth Games welcome event

John Swinney has hailed “Scotland the Brave” for saving the Commonwealth Games as he welcomed international delegates to the country.

The Scottish First Minister praised Glasgow for stepping in to ensure the 2026 Games went ahead after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out.

The SNP leader spoke at the opening of Scotland House in The Corinthian where Team Scotland will be based.

On Thursday, he will join the King and Queen at the opening ceremony as the sporting competition gets under way.

Mr Swinney told delegates on Tuesday night that Scotland’s biggest city was ready to host the Games despite being given just 18 months to plan, shorter than the usual four to eight year timescale.

Addressing athletes, officials and delegates from across the Commonwealth, the First Minister said the city’s willingness to take on the challenge had prevented the event from disappearing altogether.

“Without the willingness of the City of Glasgow to take forward the Commonwealth Games, there might not have been any Commonwealth Games in 2026,” he said.

He embraced a description of “Scotland the Brave” used earlier by Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare, who praised organisers for delivering the event in less than two years.

“You’re absolutely right about Scotland the Brave,” Mr Swinney said.

The First Minister said Glasgow had demonstrated its ability to host major international events, pointing to the city’s experience staging the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Cop26 climate summit.

Mr Swinney said phrase “people make Glasgow” was proven in 2014 and would be proven again this year.

He said the Games would provide an opportunity to bring people together at a time of international division.

“There’ll be friendship,” he said.

“There’ll be warmth. There’ll be empathy. There’ll be understanding. There’ll be support. There’ll be respect.

“All of these attributes are what our world needs more of today than we currently have in supply.”

More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories are expected to compete during the slimmed-down Games, which run for 11 days.

Mr Rukare told guests Glasgow’s decision to step up to host the Games again was “truly remarkable”.

He said the event marked “the first of a new chapter and a rebirth of our movement”.

The opening ceremony will take place on Thursday, with Glasgow welcoming competitors, officials and visitors from across the Commonwealth for the second time in 12 years.