First minister of Scotland Alex Salmond has insisted that the impact of the 2014 Commonwealth Games will be felt all over the country "for generations to come".
Tomorrow night's opening ceremony will signal the beginning of the showpiece event in Glasgow, which kicks off just two months before the Scottish independence referendum.
When asked whether or not the Commonwealth Games will affect the vote, Salmond said: "Scotland is concentrating on the next 11 days and that issue will come after the Games. What Glasgow 2014 will do is show that Scotland can successfully hold major international sporting events.
He added: "These Games have been seven years in the making. They will take place over 11 days but their effects will be felt for generations to come. The impact will be felt all over the country. The Games have created employment opportunities all over Scotland for thousands of young people."
"These Games will change the lives of people in this country for the better. The venues have been open for some time and they are already proving to be powerful investments, paying their way before the Games has started. The Games will be delivered, to the relief of us all, within budget. To spectators they will be the most affordable Games ever."
Tomorrow night's opening ceremony gets underway at 8pm.
