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Euro 2008 bid gains momentum
24/04/2002
The logo for the Scotland/Ireland Euro 2008 Bid,
inspired by the design of 8-year-old Robbie Hutt from
Inverness, was simultaneously unveiled today in Edinburgh
and Dublin.
The launch was made by Scotland's First Minister Jack
McConnell and Scotland manager Berti Vogts in Edinburgh,
and by Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Irish football hero
Pat Bonner in Dublin.
It took place ahead of Mr McConnell and the Scottish and
Irish Sports Ministers flying out to Sweden to offer
top-level political support to the bid team at the UEFA
Congress in Stockholm where all bidders will be
represented.
The Bid also received a major boost today with the
announcement of the first of a number of high-profile
corporations offering their support. Noble Grossart, Lloyds
TSB, Diageo, Sun Microsystems and BAA Scottish Airports
have publicly voiced their backing of the bid adding
corporate support to that of the fans and general public in
Scotland and Ireland.
Speaking at the Edinburgh launch of the logo Jack
McConnell said:
"The support offered by these major corporations gives
further strength to the key messages of the
Scotland/Ireland bid, namely that it will be commercially
successful, that Scotland and Ireland offer some of the
finest hospitality in the World and that the joint bid is
fully supported by the Government's in Scotland and
Ireland. Companies like this do not offer their support
lightly, they only back winners."
The dynamic logo was inspired by the design of
8-year-old Robbie Hutt from Inverness, who attends the
Gaelic Unit of the Central Primary School in Inverness.
Robbie was the winner of a competition in Scotland and
Ireland to design a logo that reflected the strength and
unity of the joint Scotland/Ireland Euro 2008 Bid.
Irish Premier Bertie Ahern launched the logo at an event
in Dublin. Both he and Jack McConnell have approved the
logo and are united in their praise of the design. Mr Ahern
commented:
"It is very gratifying that young people became involved
in the design of the logo, which reflects the unity and
dynamism of our joint bid. I congratulate all who
participated and in particular, Robbie Hutt, whose design
we are delighted to adopt as our logo.
The Irish Government
is fully supportive of the joint bid. Our Minister for
Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr. James McDaid will be
travelling to Stockholm with the First Minister of Scotland
Jack McConnell and Scotland's Minister for Sport, Mike
Watson, to reinforce our commitment to the UEFA Executive
Committee, currently holding their Annual Congress in
Stockholm."
Robbie Hutt, a keen footballer whose favourite player is
the Celtic striker Henrik Larsson was thrilled when he was
told his design was to be used. He said:
" I really like football and I am glad that my picture
is going to be used to try to get Euro 2008 to Scotland and
Ireland. It would be really great if Euro 2008 was played
in Scotland and I would be able to see all those brilliant
footballers playing here."
Scotland manager, Berti Vogts added
"I have played and been a manager at the highest levels
in the European Championships and know what an important
tournament it is. I am delighted to fully back the Scotland
and Ireland Bid for Euro 2008 as I know with our fantastic
fans and the grounds we can offer, the Bid will be
extremely strong. Awarding the tournament to Scotland and
Ireland will provide a great target and incentive for young
players developing in the game."