OVERVIEW OF THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN SALFORD
Introduction
The XVII Commonwealth Games took place in Greater Manchester from 25 July to 4 August 2002 and was
billed as the second largest multi-sport event in the world and the largest sports event ever to be held in the
UK – and it didn’t fail to deliver in spectacular style. The Games exceeded everyone’s expectations; the
organisers were impressed with the number of spectators and the enthusiasm of the athletes, athletes were
impressed with scale of the organisation and the volunteers, spectators were impressed with the transport
infrastructure and the whole experience – and media just looked overwhelmed by the whole success of the
event. These Commonwealth Games truly were ‘the people’s Games’ and were a once in a lifetime experience
for everyone involved.
Salford City Council
The Salford City Council Commonwealth Games Task Group continued to meet until the first week of July
overseeing the arrangements for the Games coming to Salford. The Salford Quays Venue Group continued
to meet regularly, including undertaking a ‘snag list’ meeting (to identify any outstanding issues) the week
prior to the Games.
Communication structures for cleansing, security, parking, contingency etc during the Games were set up and
tested in advance of the Games commencing.
The Queen’s Jubilee Baton Relay
The Commonwealth Games celebrations commenced in Salford with the arrival of the Queen’s Jubilee Baton
on 25 July. Following a Salford based press and publicity campaign in partnership with the Salford Advertiser
over 10,000 Salford people turned out to cheer the Baton and the Relay runners. Arriving via Centenary
Bridge the Baton convoy snaked its way through Salford to the Quays whereupon it was transferred first to
the Princess Catherine and then to the L.S. Lowry to conclude its journey by canal to the City of Manchester
Stadium for the opening ceremony. To celebrate the Baton Relay coming to Salford and to encourage local
residents to participate, Salford Council organised a number of activities along the route to engage the local
populace. These included:
-
organising a party Fairy King and Queen outdoor children’s party at the Ugly Duckling pub on Eccles
New Road;
working with Ordsall Community Arts who organised a children’s play day at Seedley Park;
organising an outdoor party and barbecue at the Hope Inn on Eccles Old Road;
arranging for confetti bombs accompanied by the school band in Buile Hill school grounds; and
working with the community groups, Hope Library, Hope Hospital, Territorial Army and sheltered
housing, nursery providers to participate in the Baton celebrations along the route.
Games events in Salford
Salford hosted three Games events and another passed through the city. All the events were focused on
Salford Quays and were unticketed allowing spectators to attend without prior booking. Given the success of
the ticketed events, M2002 and the Council were aware that the original anticipated spectator figures may
become underestimated and throughout the Games constant and continual contingency planning for larger
crowds was undertaken.
The marathon – Sunday 28 July 2002
The Commonwealth Games marathon commenced at Albert Square Manchester at 8.00am and did a two lap
route of Salford Quays as part of its route to the City of Manchester Stadium. Anticipated numbers at Salford
Quays to watch this event were anticipated at 1,500, although encouraged by the publicity and the good
weather, thousands arrived (there are no audited spectator figures for this part of the day).
The 20km walk – Sunday 28 July 2002
The success of the marathon and given that the last marathon competitor finished late and the numbers of
spectators that were continuing to arrive to watch the men’s and women’s walking event prompted organisers
to delay the start of the walks until 3.00pm. The anticipated spectator numbers for this event was 1,500, and
the audited figures confirm a spectator number of 16,000 (sixteen thousand) – a world record for spectators
for this event hosted outside a stadium. The atmosphere was amazing and impressed the athletes so much the
crowd was constantly referred to in their post-event interviews. The medal ceremonies took place in the Plaza
area and included within the presenting team was The Leader of Salford City Council. This event was filmed
for live transmission in a number of countries including Australia, New Zealand and various African nations
whilst all other Commonwealth countries transmitted a ‘highlights package’.
The 50km walk – Tuesday 30 July 2002
Following on from the success of the previous walking event, it was anticipated that again, spectator numbers
would exceed those originally planned – and the numbers didn’t disappoint. Tuesday 30th July would become
a pivotal day for the Games, as this was when the weather turned from a Sydney-esque 30 degrees with blue
skies to a tropical monsoon storms. Pictures of the walkers continuing in these conditions became an image
transmitted throughout the world – along with pictures of nearly 5,000 people cheering on the competitors to
the bitter end over 5 hours later! Once again the medal ceremonies took place in the Plaza area and the event
was again filmed for live transmission in a number of countries including Australia, New Zealand and various
African nations – all other Commonwealth countries transmitted a ‘highlights package’.
The triathlon – Sunday 4 August 2002
The ‘jewel in the crown’ for the Games was the Triathlon. Concern was raised that anticipated figures for
spectators for this event had been underestimated when 68,000 people turned out at Rivington for the bike
events when numbers had been planned at 10,000. The lead up to the triathlon saw much last minute work
being undertaken to revise plans to expect a much larger audience than the 20,000 that had originally been
planned for. In total between 75,000 and 100,000 people came to Salford Quays to watch the men’s and
women’s triathlon – and for the majority of the day the rain held off. BBC Sport transmitted the triathlon live
on BBC1 and it was seen live around the world. The atmosphere was absolutely electric and was commented
on by commentators, athletes, team coaches and visitors. The day passed with serious incident which, given
the numbers attending is a tribute to all those who worked on the event on the day. Once again the medal
ceremonies took place in the Plaza area and were presented by the Mayor of Salford. All the commentators
were briefed as to key facts about the Quays area – and Salford and the Quays came across very positively in
all the media coverage.
GMPTE also arranged for a free shuttle bus service to run from Eccles and the city centre of Manchester.
Salford City Council also hosted a VIP area on the day in a unit within The Lowry Designer Outlet, which
was positively received – allowing guests to watched the live action outside and then relax and watch the rest
of the event on televisions within this area. A M2002 hosted VIP area was also arranged in The Lowry, which
afforded key staff the opportunity to speak with various people from members of the International Triathlon
Association to Sports Minister, Richard Caborn and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Associated events in Salford
The local community in Salford embraced the Games visiting our city. Secondary schools undertook miniCommonwealth Games for their feeder primary schools, organised Games related competitions, utilised the
offers for free and discounted tickets to see events and generally embraced the Games. Sports groups and
teams put on demonstration activities and promoted their sports to increase membership, and many local
residents turned out to the Quays to cheer on competitors.
The Council’s Sports Development Team organised a sports orientated ‘Quays Festival’ at the Watersports
Centre which was hugely successful, and the Young Peoples University which ran during the games was
Games and sports related.. The Library Service also hosted a number of Games related activities.
An audit of all events arranged within Salford is currently being undertaken.
‘Picnic in the Plaza’, ‘Live Site @ Nite’ and the BBC
Throughout the planning stages of the Games, Salford always expressed a desire to host a ‘live site’ where a
giant TV screen would be available for visitors to watch the sports action on screen. The official live sites
were all subsequently placed within Manchester city centre, and were cost prohibitive for the Council finance
its own. The Council liaised with businesses at the Quays and secured sponsorship from The Lowry Designer
Outlet who paid for a giant TV screen to be erected in The Lowry Plaza area. Fifty picnic tables were placed
within the Plaza area and undertook a marketing campaign promoting this as ‘Picnic in the Plaza’. During
the early part of the Games, thousands of visitors visited the Plaza to watch the live action and then visited
the newly opened Imperial war Museum in the North, The Lowry and The Lowry Designer Outlet.
Restaurants and bars served food and drink in the Plaza and the Plaza became the focus of huge visitor
attention with a relaxed party atmosphere.
Visitor numbers dropped off when the weather turned to rain, but visitor numbers remained increased for
the duration of the Games.
‘Live site @ nite’ was developed in response to a request from the BBC. Meetings took place with senior
BBC personnel just before the Games commenced regarding a suitable location for a late-night review show
to be shown on BBC1, which they would take place in Salford if we could plan evening entertainment to
attract a crowd. Having confirmed their studio venue (the balcony area of The Lowry Designer Outlet), pans
were developed to put on evening entertainment for visitors in partnership with local restaurants and bars. As
there is no ‘passing trade’ in the Plaza area it was hard to build up numbers for night-time performances – but
as numbers started to significantly increase the rain started and numbers again started to decrease. The BBC
satellite equipment was damaged in the storms forcing them to relocated to their main studio within the
official International Media Centre. Performances were affected by the inclement weather – and this project
was met with mixed success.
Media focus on the Quays
From the BBC filming their morning live weather reports from Salford Quays to the Games Co-ordinator
doing the local radio traffic news – the attention on Salford and the Quays during the Games was impressive.
International TV crews were constantly observed filming at the Quays either interviewing their athletes or
reviewing the tourist attractions and highlighting the successful regeneration of the area. Press coverage in the
UK was hugely positive (although the occasional ill-informed quote appeared about the water quality of the
Manchester Ship Canal). Media attention on the Quays was such that on one day it appeared that film crews
were filming film crews.
South Africa
Links with South Africa were enhanced during the Games. The Salford Tourist Information Centre hosted
the official South Africa desk where athletes, media and visitors were encouraged to visit should they have
any issues. Representatives from Salford City Council were invited to the official Team South Africa welcome
party at The Lowry and in turn we hosted an official South Africa Civic Reception at the Museum and Art
Gallery. Her Excellency the High Commissioner of South Africa and her senior representatives also visited
Salford to thank the city for hosting Team South Africa and to discuss further links for the future.
During the Games the South African winners of a Harold Riley competition stayed in Salford for a week,
whilst the Salford winners will be visiting South Africa later this year. In addition a teacher exchange to South
Africa is also taking place later in 2002.
Legacy and the Games
There were many formal M2002 legacy programmes in operation before, during and after the Games. These
are currently being assessed by M2002 and little information is currently forthcoming. It is known, however,
that over 200 Salford residents undertook the Pre-Volunteer Programme with over 80 becoming official
volunteers – a number that is hugely positive when compared to other local authorities.
Sports clubs have anecdotally reported increased participation figures.
A formal report on the legacy of the Games for Salford will be undertaken following receipt of information
from M2002.
Salford Quays residents and businesses
Obviously with so much focus on Salford Quays for the duration of the Games, it was unavoidable that
residents and businesses would experience some disruption. The Council and M2002 tried to minimise this by
offering alternative and secure car parking to those residents who would want to access their cars on event
days and who would have been located in ‘lock down area’. All residents and businesses were written with
clear information regarding the impact of the Games at the Quays, most businesses were visited and residents
meetings were attended. On the whole, there was overwhelming support from both the business community
and residents to the Games being at Salford Quays.
Conclusion
The Commonwealth Games offered Salford a once in a life time opportunity to put itself on the ‘world map’
– and this objective was spectacularly achieved throughout the duration of the Games. To have generated the
worldwide media coverage for Salford that was seen during the Games would have under normal
circumstances cost millions.
The Salford events were truly embraced by both local residents and international visitors and all evidence
points to long-term economic benefits from hosting the Games here.
A comprehensive report by Salford City Council will be published shortly containing audited figures of visitor
numbers, benefits and activities that were undertaken. A Marketing Manchester / M2002 / Manchester City
Council report is expected within the next eight months which will inform on regional statistics and impacts.