Lanarkshire 2011 International Children's Games
Lanarkshire is to host the 45th International Children's Games in 2011, following a joint bid by North and South Lanarkshire Councils to bring the world's biggest youth sporting event to Scotland for the first time. External site: [Lanarkshire 2011 International Children's Games](http://www.icg-lanarkshire2011.com/)
Up to 1,500 competitors aged 12 to 15, along with coaches, administrators and delegates from around 80 cities worldwide will head to Lanarkshire for the International Olympic Committee-recognised event from 3 to 8 August 2011.
The Prime Minister said:
I am delighted that Lanarkshire is hosting the 45th International Children’s Games this month.
Last week we marked one year to go to the Olympics, and what better way to continue that count down than with the Children’s Games here in Britain this week.
Big sporting events like these are a brilliant way to celebrate our young athletes and inspire the budding sportsmen and women of the future.
They are also a great opportunity to encourage children to get involved in competitive sport - so important for young people, not just in terms of being fit and healthy, but also for self-esteem, social skills and friendships.
A very warm welcome to all the young athletes and their teams from around the globe. I wish them and the people of Lanarkshire all the best for what I’m sure will be an exciting Games.
The first International Children’s Games took place in Celje, Slovenia in 1968. The Games were the brainchild of physical education teacher Professor Metod Klemenc and have attracted over 35,200 participants representing 332 cities from 74 countries over 4 continents.