Glasgow to Host 2014 Commonwealth Games

Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 2014 after they fought off competition from the Nigerian capital Abuja.

Delegates from the Commonwealth's 71 member countries cast their votes at a meeting in Sri Lanka earlier today, and the result was announced by Mike Fennell, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation. Scotland will now host the Games for the first time since 1986, when Edinburgh was the venue.

Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond, told delegates during a last-minute plea, that they should "be in no doubt Scotland will deliver".

"The Commonwealth Games really do matter to Scotland," he went on. "They matter because they are the only multi-sport games in which our nation competes, as ourselves, 'as Scotland'. Every Scot is excited by what Scotland can give to the games and what these games can give to Scotland. And be in no doubt Scotland will deliver."

Louise Martin, the chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, had told delegates: "You'll hear what we want to deliver for you, the most athlete-centered games ever. A games that will inspire everyone for generations. A games that will have grown and developed when we pass the baton to the next host city."

The announcement was broadcast on large screens at Glasgow's Fruitmarket and at some of the venues where the Games will now be held.

The decision means the Games are yet to be staged in Africa. Their next venue is Delhi in 2010, the first Indian city to play host.