A senior Government minister has said he is "hugely impressed" by preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister Lord Howell said the event will create a "lasting economic legacy" and raise the profile of Scotland and the UK in the Commonwealth.
He made the comments after touring the new Commonwealth Sports Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, which will respectively host badminton and track-cycling events.
The £113 million venue, set to open later this year, is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe.
Lord Howell said: "I have been hugely impressed by the vision and ambition of Glasgow City Council and the organising company to deliver a world-class Commonwealth Games in 2014.
"What is even more important is the lasting economic legacy that this event will deliver. It will raise the profile of Scotland and the UK in the Commonwealth and lead to significant trade opportunities for businesses in Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth."
The Commonwealth Sports Arena is on a 10.5-hectare site in Dalmarnock, close to Celtic Park and the 2014 athletes village.
Lord Howell was joined on his visit by city councillor Alistair Watson, Jane Gotts, of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, and David Grevemberg, chief executive of Glasgow 2014.
Mr Grevemberg said: "We are delighted to have had the opportunity to update Lord Howell on the progress of the Games. We will be staging a truly global sporting event and it is vital that we use this platform as an opportunity to promote Glasgow and Scotland across the Commonwealth, and raise awareness of the passion and ability the city and nation have to stage major events.
"The combination of sport, culture and business from across the Commonwealth will be key to making Glasgow 2014 a great success and realising a tangible legacy for Scotland."
