13 January 2016

British Athletics, in partnership with Glasgow City and Event Scotland, has today submitted a formal bid to bring the 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships to Glasgow, which would see Europe’s greatest athletes return to the city and country that hosted the biggest and most successful Commonwealth Games ever in 2014.

Built around the guiding principles of Passion, Innovation and Integrity the formal bid was submitted to European Athletics today.  British Athletics, Glasgow City and Event Scotland aim to deliver the best ever European Athletics Indoor Championships based around the passionate support of the Scottish people that was such an integral part of the winning formula at Glasgow 2014.

Niels de Vos, CEO of British Athletics, said: "The Commonwealth Games two years ago showed that Glasgow holds the ability to host big sporting events to the most exacting standards and this year’s 2016 Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix, hosted by British Athletics, has sold out months in advance, also demonstrating the huge support for elite athletics there is within the Scottish public. 

"I’m delighted that Glasgow City and Event Scotland decided to build on the success of the 2014 Games and previous British Athletics events held in the city by bidding to host European Athletics’ flagship indoor event in The Emirates Arena in 2019.  We believe that, if successful, Glasgow would establish a new standard for the European Indoor Athletics Championships against which all future editions would be measured."

Delivering an innovative event is at the heart of British Athletics’ bid, using an outstanding modern purpose build venue like The Emirates Arena will provide a canvas upon which cutting edge technology can be used to deliver world class event presentation and ensure an unforgettable spectator and athlete experience.

Comments 2012 Olympic Champion and 2015 World Champion, Jessica Ennis-Hill:  “Glasgow is a great sporting city with a real heritage for athletics. Glasgow hosted a hugely successful Commonwealth Games in 2014 with full stadiums and an amazing atmosphere.  I personally feel Glasgow and its people would be very good hosts for the European Indoor Championships in 2019.”

The bid comes from a combination of committed and experienced partners with the financial backing secured and in place from Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council.