Volunteers for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be known as the “Clyde-siders”, organisers have announced.
More than 50,000 people applied for 15,000 roles at the event, including result recording, overseeing athletes’ travel arrangements and directing people to the games venues.
Glasgow 2014 wants to create a group similar to the “games makers” at London 2012 who helped to make the Olympics such a success. The first volunteers for the games have been chosen but, with a total of 25,000 people being interviewed, the final list will not be completed until the end of the year. The name Clyde-siders was chosen by organisers and is a nod to the River Clyde, which runs through the city.
Many Glaswegians who lived and worked in the shipyards along the river during its ship-building heyday were known as Clydesiders.
Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Smith said: “The Clyde-siders, as our volunteers are to be known, will be the friendly faces of the games, the first point of contact for many people, and are bound to inject their personalities into the event.
“Glasgow 2014 fully appreciates the time and commitment shown by all candidates who were selected for interview for what is Scotland’s largest-ever peacetime recruitment drive.
“I am confident those selected will enjoy what is a fantastic opportunity to become a part of the games.”
One of the first confirmed Clyde-siders is retired 66-year-old Lindsay Barr, from Clarkston, Glasgow. He will be part of a team that maintains the results-recording technology at the different games venues.
Mr Barr said: “I was born, brought up and spent most of my working career in Glasgow before retiring and decided to volunteer to give something back to the city that has shaped my life.
“This is the biggest event Glasgow has hosted in my lifetime and I want to be part of something which showcases our city and allows me to share the thrills and excitement with my grandchildren.”