Glasgow 2014 post for venues expert

Oct 25 2012

The man who wrote the guide on delivering Commonwealth Games venues has been appointed as the chief operating officer of Glasgow 2014.

Ralph Ord, whose career in helping to produce global sporting events spans more than 20 years, will take up his new post on Monday.

He previously held senior roles with the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the 2003 Rugby World Cup and 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

Mr Ord, from County Durham, is the author of the Commonwealth Games Federation's Technical Manual for Venue Operations, which is said to be "one of the defining guidebooks for Games' organising committees".

He joins the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee fresh from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where he was responsible for the delivery and readiness of broadcast facilities, infrastructure and operations for the host broadcaster.

In his new role, he will be tasked with making sure all key functional areas such as sport, venues, security, transport and the athletes' village are ready on time and on budget.

Mr Ord said: "As the Commonwealth Games Federation Co-ordination Commission highlighted during its visit earlier this month, Glasgow 2014 has the potential to be the best Commonwealth Games ever and I am delighted to be part of what will be a great success story for the city and for Scotland.

"Glasgow 2014 is already demonstrating fantastic momentum and generating tangible excitement, and I look forward to being part of a winning team delivering a sporting celebration of which we can all be proud."

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said: "He (Mr Ord) is a well-respected figure across international Games management and brings with him a wealth of expertise which will play an important part in ensuring Glasgow 2014 delivers an outstanding Commonwealth Games for Glasgow and Scotland."