Glasgow set to welcome the world for scaled back Commonwealth Games

Glasgow set to welcome the world for scaled back Commonwealth GamesImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Josh Kerr broke the mile world record last weekend, which had stood since 1999ByPaul O'HareBBC ScotlandPublished34 minutes agoWhen the fastest man on the planet won Commonwealth relay gold for Jamaica in 2014, more than 50,000 fans cheered him home at Hampden.But the athletes seeking to emulate Usain Bolt when the Games return to Glasgow - including mile world record holder Josh Kerr - will be competing at Scotstoun Stadium in front of 11,000 spectators. This time round almost everything is on a smaller scale but organisers are confident fans will create a Tartan Army-style atmosphere for the 3,000 competitors who will be chasing glory.From Friday until 2 August, 215 gold medals will be up for grabs - compared to 261 when Scotland last staged the Games - but Glasgow 2026 will see a record 47 para-sports events.Image source, PA MediaImage caption, The Hydro will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the GamesThe action gets under way with bowls and para-bowls heats at 09:30, but the Games will be officially opened by King Charles during a ceremony at the Hydro later.It will be attended by athletes from 74 nations and territories as well as dignitaries including Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and the First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth.Some of the 4,000 Games volunteers, aged 16 to 96, will also take part in the celebration.Why is Glasgow hosting the Games?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Matthew Dixon, of England, competes in the Men's 10m platform preliminaries during the 2014 Commonwealth GamesGlasgow stepped in when the Australian state of Victoria pulled out of hosting the Games in July 2023.It had only agreed to stage the event in April 2022 after the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) struggled to find a host.Organisers had originally estimated the event would cost A$2.6bn (£1.35bn) an...