This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scotland urged to reap rewards of London 2012
20/01/2006
A Steering Group made up of Scottish organisations including Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and BBC Scotland, met for the first time today to discuss how to maximise ways in which Scotland will benefit from the Olympic Games in London in 2012.
Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson said:
"The Olympic Games in London in 2012 represents a unique opportunity for the whole of the UK to change the way we think about sport.
"In Scotland, it has the potential to generate a huge level of enthusiasm for sport and to inspire people to compete at the highest level.
"But the benefits will run even deeper than this, and will touch all sectors of Scottish society. For example there will be the opportunity to stage major events - the chance to create more sports volunteers - and the ability to attract more overseas visitors to Scotland.
"Under the Chairmanship of former Olympic athlete and sportscotland Chair Julia Bracewell, this new steering group will ensure that Scottish organisations and businesses are as well informed as possible about the best way to maximise these opportunities."
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland said:
"By coordinating the activities of sport, tourism and business agencies in Scotland we plan to maximize the ways in which Scotland will benefit from such a high-profile event as the Olympic Games.
"Hosting the Games in the UK will be a once in a lifetime experience for many. It will not only give selected Scottish athletes the advantage of competing on home soil as part of Team GB, but will also enable hundreds of Scots to take part in the Games as volunteers and have an unforgettable experience.
"I am delighted to be representing Scotland on the Nations & Regions Group for London 2012 and will do my best to ensure that the whole of Scotland benefits both socially and economically from the Games."
The group will be responsible for monitoring the benefits accruing from the Games.
The Steering Group comprises representatives from organisations including Scottish Enterprise, VisitScotland, sportscotland, EventScotland, the Scottish Arts Council, COSLA and BBC Scotland, Volunteer Development Scotland, CBI Scotland and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.
The Nations & Regions Group was in place during the bid phase. It played a key role in generating support throughout the UK. It is now made up of 12 representatives from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and each English region who will chair a local task force. The Nations & Regions Group is chaired by ITV boss Charles Allen.