By Gary Anderson

Fantastic, exciting and fun were the words most commonly used to describe the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games ©Getty ImagesGlasgow 2014 have revealed that 96 per cent of tickets were sold for the Commonwealth Games, while a survey of 20,000 spectators claimed that 91 per cent of fans were satisfied with the event, commonly described as "fantastic, exciting and fun".

In addition, the survey carried out by Games organisers, found that 86 per cent of people would welcome future big events in Glasgow and Scotland as organisers bask in the initial glow of the success of Glasgow 2014.

The figures are among a tranche of facts and figures released to highlight the success of the event, including that on social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, there were 3.5 million public mentions, 500,000 social media followers and 450,000 downloads of the app specially produced for the Games. 

There were over one million tickets available for Glasgow 2014 with organisers claiming they had around 2.5 million requests for tickets.

The ticketing process was not all plain sailing however, as the official ticket site had to be shut down for over a week back in May due to technical problems.

Fans scramble for an autograph from Usain Bolt at Hampden Park, one of the biggest attractions at Glasgow 2014 ©Getty ImagesFans scramble for an autograph from Usain Bolt at Hampden Park, one of the biggest attractions at Glasgow 2014 ©Getty Images



In terms of the sporting action across the 13 venues used during the 11 days of action, nine world records and 142 Commonwealth Games records were set.

Glasgow also hosted the largest integrated Para-sport programme in Games history.

The feel good factor will no doubt have been  helped by the performance of Team Scotland, who finished fourth on the medals table at Glasgow 2014.

Overall, Scotland claimed nine gold, 15 silver and 19 bronze medals to total 53, more than double the 26 won in Delhi four years ago.

It also smashed their previous best medal tally of 33 set at Edinburgh 1986, the last time the nation hosted the Games, which were badly affected by a boycott of the African countries. 

The success of Scottish athletes, such as judo gold medallist Christopher Sherrington, at Glasgow 2014 was a huge boost for Commonwealth Games organisers ©AFP/Getty ImagesThe success of Scottish athletes, such as judo gold medallist Christopher Sherrington, at Glasgow 2014 was a huge boost for Commonwealth Games organisers ©AFP/Getty Images



"The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has made history as the best Commonwealth Games ever, setting a new gold standard for the Commonwealth sports movement, new benchmarks for event delivery and receiving universal accolades for a proud host city and its people for the joyous enthusiasm with which they embraced athletes and visitors during Scotland's biggest-ever sporting and cultural festival," said Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg.

"Working with our Games partners, the 1500-strong team in the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee and thousands of organisations, businesses and individuals has kept people at the heart of our story.

"We have strived to maximise the legacy ambitions of our partners and worked hard to deliver the maximum benefit for as many people as possible to deliver the Games.

"Staying true to our vision of an athlete centred, sport focused Games we worked hard to make Commonwealth athletes and the young people of Glasgow and Scotland an integral part of a world-class, community-relevant Commonwealth Games that makes people proud and leaves a lasting impact."

Around 6,500 athletes and officials attended Glasgow 2014, which saw nearly 500,000 meals served at the Athletes' Village, while 65,000 handmade fruit smoothies were consumed.

One hundred tonnes of fruit and vegetables were delivered to the Village while figures also show that 30,000 bags of clothing and 150,000 towels were laundered.

Scottish officials also claim that the Opening Ceremony at Celtic Park on July 23, featuring performances from Rod Stewart and Susan Boyle, was watched by a global television audience of more than one billion.

Sir Chris Hoy was one of the stars of the Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony which raised more than £3million for UNICEF ©Getty ImagesSir Chris Hoy was one of the stars of the Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony which raised more than £3 million for UNICEF ©Getty Images



During the Ceremony a unique fund raising initiative in aid of UNICEF featuring special films showcasing projects being run in various regions of the Commonwealth and introduced by the likes of Sir Chris Hoy and singer Nicole Scherzinger, raised around £3.5 million ($5.9 million/€4.4 million) via text and online donations.

"From the very first moments of the Opening Ceremony, the Commonwealth Games have been a huge credit to Glasgow and to Scotland," said Scotland's Minister for the Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison.

"The atmosphere, not just in Glasgow but across the country has been electric.

"Every competitor, from the furthest and nearest reaches of the Commonwealth, has experienced the warm welcome and support of the people of Scotland."

Leader of Glasgow City Council, Gordon Matheson added: "The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games were without a doubt the best ever in the event's history.

"This is something we should take enormous pride in after all the hard work, training and planning from all involved over the years."

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