University Commonwealth Games exhibition returns to Glasgow

A University of Stirling exhibition has opened at the Scottish Football Museum in Glasgow - four years after its debut at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Hosts & Champions, which opened at the Hampden Park museum today, tells the story of Scotland’s participation in the Commonwealth Games - from the first event in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930, through to this year’s Gold Coast Games.

Drawn from the University’s Commonwealth Games Scotland Archive, the exhibition features a selection of photographs, documents, clothing and other artefacts.

Team Scotland promotional surfboard 

Professor Richard Haynes, academic curator of the Hosts & Champions exhibition, said: “We are delighted to be bringing the exhibition back to Glasgow after the initial pop-up exhibit as part of the Glasgow 2014 Games.

“It seems fitting for it to be hosted in the National Stadium to mark the fourth anniversary of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which has been the inspiration for the city to host the new European Championships.

“The exhibition provides an opportunity to showcase key items from 2014 to visitors at the Scottish Football Museum, as well as explore some of the 88-year heritage of Team Scotland.

“We also have some new items on show from the recent Games in the Gold Coast.”

University Archivist Karl Magee said: “Since beginning life as a small pop-up display in 2014, Hosts & Champions has grown into a large touring exhibition which showcases Scotland’s long, distinguished contribution to the Commonwealth Games.

“It has toured venues all across Scotland, from Shetland to the Borders, and even appeared at the 2018 Gold Coast Games. We’re now delighted to take the exhibition back to Glasgow where it all started four years ago.”

Commonwealth Games mascots

Key items on display include:

• Six-metre photographic banner featuring Team Scotland athletes competing at the 2018 Gold Coast Games
• Signed Team Scotland medal table from 2018 Gold Coast Games
• Team Scotland promotional surfboard displayed at Scotland House, Surfers Paradise, during the 2018 Gold Coast Games
• Queen’s Baton from Glasgow 2014 Games
• Selection of Team Scotland uniforms, including a jumper from the 1954 Games
• Full set of official Commonwealth Games mascots, from Keyano the Bear (Edmonton, 1978) to Borobi (Gold Coast 2018)