Scotland bids for 'Mini Olympics'

North and South Lanarkshire councils will fund the bid

North and South Lanarkshire councils have launched a joint bid to host the International Children's Games in 2011.

If successful it would be the first time the event, dubbed the "Mini Olympics", was held in Scotland.

About 2,000 youngsters from around the world would compete in sports including athletics, swimming, golf and football.

Lanarkshire faces competition from Singapore and Daegu in South Korea to host the event. A decision will be made in July 2008.

Lanarkshire's bid already has the support of local businesses, politicians and First Minister Alex Salmond.

North and South Lanarkshire councils have each pledged to provide £1m of funding.

We will being doing a major PR exercise in the schools and youth clubs so kids realise the enormity of this opportunity Norrie Anderson Bid Steering Group

North Lanarkshire council leader Jim McCabe said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of Lanarkshire.

"It also gives children in the area something to aim for, and by increasing their participation in sports we can improve their health.

"It's early days but I'm quite confident Lanarkshire will get the games."

The leader of South Lanarkshire council, Eddie McAvoy, is also confident of success and eager to outline the benefits hosting such an event could bring to the area.

He said: "If we get the games it will provide a huge boost to the economy and the tourism industry.

"Not only will 2,000 children descend on Lanarkshire, but so will their parents and other visitors."

POSSIBLE VENUES Athletics: Coatbridge Sports Centre; John Wright Sports Centre; Wishaw Sports Centre Swimming: The Tryst Sports Centre; Dollan Aqua Centre; Larkhall Leisure Centre; Sir Matt Busby Sports Centre Triathlon and Cross-country: Strathclyde Park Opening and closing ceremonies: New Douglas Park; Fir Park

Norrie Anderson, a member of the bid's steering group explained local schools would be used as "athlete villages", where competitors travelling from abroad could be accommodated.

He added: "We also feel we have fantastic facilities in relation to leisure in Lanarkshire.

"We will being doing a major PR exercise in the schools and youth clubs and running inter-district sports events so kids realise the enormity of this opportunity."

In August key officials from the ICG travelled to Lanarkshire for a six-day fact-finding mission.

They toured the area's sports and cultural facilities.

Lanarkshire's bid team was keen to point out the region's central geographical position in the middle of Scotland and the good transport links.

The president of the ICG, Torsten Rasch, was impressed by what he saw.

He said: "The thinking and planning that has gone into Lanarkshire's bid is really tremendous."

"We have never experienced such hospitality four years in advance of the games actually taking place."

Badminton player, Fiona Archibald, is backing the bid

The first International Children's Games took place in Slovenia in 1968.

Since then 35,000 children aged 12-15 have participated in the event, representing some 300 cities and towns and more than 70 countries worldwide.

Badminton player, Fiona Archibald, 15, from Larkhall was part of an 18-strong delegation from Lanarkshire at this summer's games in Reykjavik, Iceland.

She is backing the area's bid to host the event in 2011.

She said: "The Children's Games are a great chance to meet people from different countries and make lots of new friends.

"I had an amazing time in Iceland."

She added: "If the games were to be held in Lanarkshire I think it would encourage a lot of children to stick in at their sport.

"It would give them something to aim for."