Lanarkshire's Californian dream

Athletes from across Lanarkshire will compete in this year's games

Delegates have travelled to San Francisco to find out if Lanarkshire's bid to host the 2011 International Children's Games (ICG) has succeeded.

The ICG committee will announce their decision in the city, which is hosting this year's event, on Friday.

Lanarkshire's bid faces competition from Singapore and Daegu in South Korea.

If it is successful it would be the first time the games, dubbed the "Mini Olympics", has been held in Scotland.

The bid is a joint venture between North and South Lanarkshire councils and has the support of local businesses, politicians and First Minister Alex Salmond.

'Unique achievement'

If Lanarkshire wins, about 2,000 youngsters from around the world would come to the area to compete in sports including athletics, swimming, golf and football.

Venues such as the Aidrie Leisure Centre, the Dollan Leisure Centre and the planned £29m regional sports facility at Ravenscraig would host sporting events.

The team behind the bid hope Scotland's success in securing other major sporting events could boost their chances.

Aidrie Leisure Centre would host sporting events if the bid succeeds

Leader of South Lanarkshire Council, Eddie McAvoy, said: "It would be a unique sporting achievement for Lanarkshire and, together with the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup, would really put Scotland on the international sports stage, demonstrating a real strength and depth in terms of the country's facilities."

Councillor Jim McCabe, leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said the games would provide long-term benefits for the area.

He said: "If successful, we will weave the games into the local community to create a lasting legacy for Lanarkshire.

"What we would be determined to avoid is a situation where the games are simply parachuted in and rocketed out without really touching or embracing the local community."

Mr McCabe has travelled to San Francisco for the games along with South Lanarkshire Council's deputy leader Michael McCann, Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Gilbert Cox, and Ian Livingstone, chair of Supercounty.

A team of young athletes from Lanarkshire were also making their way to California to compete in this year's games.

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.