Glasgow 2014 wins first major sponsor, with Longines named official timekeeper
Glasgow 2014 has announced its first major sponsor, with luxury watch brand Longines unveiled as official timekeeper for the Commonwealth Games.
The Swiss firm becomes the Games' first tier one partner in a deal thought to be worth £5m and will look after timing, scoring and results throughout the Games. Organisers are required to secure £100m in commercial revenue.
The Swatch Group-owned brand has history of sports involvement, having provided timers used at the first Modern Olympics in 1896 and partnering with several Commonwealth Games. It has also formed partnerships in equestrian sports, the French Open, the Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships, the Alpine Ski World Cup and World Championships and the World Cup and World Championships in Archery.
Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Smith said of the partnership: "Longines has a rich heritage of world-class sporting associations dating back more than a century and we are delighted to announce such a prestigious brand as our first partner.
"This is an important milestone for Glasgow 2014 and the fact we are sharing it with such an excellent global brand underlines the world-class proposition that is Glasgow 2014.
"Timing, scoring and results is absolutely critical to delivering an outstanding, athlete-centred, sport-focused Games, and we look forward to working closely with Longines."
Longines president Walter von Kanel added: "Longines is proud to be an official partner and official timekeeper of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and delighted to be the first partner.
"Thanks to our long history in the world of sport, Longines is considered as an essential partner to an event which embodies our brand's values, namely elegance, tradition and performance.
"We look forward to working with Glasgow 2014 to deliver a superb event with a lasting legacy for Scotland."