The Commonwealth Games will be a tremendous opportunity for Britain to host a truly prestigious international event and the people of Manchester are looking forward to welcoming athletes and visitors alike to their City.

Manchester is undergoing a new and exciting renaissance building on its rich heritage, and with its passion for sport, music and the arts and much much more, will seize this once in a lifetime opportunity to host a set of Games that all members of the Commonwealth can be proud.

My vision is for a Games that are for everyone, bringing world class sports to our door step, a celebration of the Commonwealth in Her Majesty the Queen's Jubilee year and a multi-cultural event that reflects our own communities in the North West. Our Government is committed to ensuring that the Games are a huge success and using them as a catalyst to inspire communities, families and schools to celebrate our multi-cultural society. I'm proud to be leading the team that will deliver the Games and who are committed to making them a success. I believe we will all be winners through the Games - Great Britain, the North West, the athletes who take part and the millions who will watch the games worldwide all have one thing in common - a tremendous celebration of sport and culture. "