Lord Coe hails Olympic rewards at Glasgow flag handover

Lord Coe was at Hampden to hand over the host city flag to Glasgow

Lord Coe says people are starting to see the benefits of a UK Olympics after the flag of host city London was handed over at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Hampden is one of six UK stadiums that will host matches for the Olympic football tournament.

"I passionately believe that for the Games to be sustainable, they have to be shared and to be made relevant," said Lord Coe.

He added that he hoped the Games would appeal to young people in particular.

The chairman of the organising committee handed the flag to Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson at Hampden, and explained the importance of holding Olympic events in cities across the UK.

This is the best opportunity we're ever going to have to get young people to take up sport and it is a unique opportunity because I cannot think of another time when an Olympic Games has then been followed two years later by a Commonwealth Games [in the UK] Lord Sebastian Coe

Preparations for the 2012 Games are gathering pace, with almost 250,000 people signing up to be chosen for the 70,000 volunteer positions available.

The interview process has already begun in other parts of the country and those people in Glasgow who have signed up to be volunteers will be interviewed at the city's Science Centre in May.

Lord Coe said one of the benefits for Glasgow hosting an Olympic event was the opportunity it gave young people.

"I want to see more young people involved in sport," said Lord Coe. "I don't think anyone would argue with that proposition.

"This is the best opportunity we're ever going to have to get young people to take up sport and it is a unique opportunity because I cannot think of another time when an Olympic Games has then been followed two years later by a Commonwealth Games [in the UK]."

Matheson said the preparations for Hampden's hosting of eight football games were on budget and on time.

"Glasgow has a wonderful track record of hosting major events," said Matheson.

"We've hosted Uefa Cup finals and Champions League finals, and we do it all exceptionally well, and we will be a wonderful deliverer of the London Olympics."