As excitement builds ahead of the Commonwealth Games’ return to the city, Olympic gold medalist Dame Denise Lewis, shared insight from her career alongside Scotland’s most decorated track and field athlete, Eilidh Doyle, and UK Athletics chief executive Jack Buckner, the former distance runner.

They took part in the Lindsays Sports Forum - Celebrating a Summer of Athletics - which brought together athletics club volunteers and business representatives to the AC Marriott hotel in the city centre last week.

The guests were in conversation with Lindsays’ chief operating officer Ian Beattie MBE, who is also the chair of UK Athletics, as well as answering questions from the floor.

And there was plenty of praise for Glasgow for the return of the Games, last held in the city in 2014.

Speaking just before the event started, Dame Denise, the current president of UK Athletics, said: “Glasgow is a city which has sport at its heart, so it’s brilliant to have the Commonwealth Games returning here. The fact that Glasgow rallied to give athletes this opportunity and continue a great legacy for the sport is fantastic.”

Panelists shared their excitement at both the return of the Commonwealth Games and the European Athletics Championships that will follow it in Birmingham, the first time that event has been held in the United Kingdom.

They also spoke of their early sporting journeys, inspiration and the impact that the Commonwealth Games had on their own competitive international careers.

Mr Beattie said he was delighted that the firm was able to bring a panel with elite experience to Glasgow to share their insight and thanked them all for taking part.

He added: “Glasgow has built a fantastic reputation worldwide over the years as a top city of sport. It’s a place sport wants to come to.

“The reason for that is that sporting bodies know the events in Glasgow are well organised. They know the crowds are passionate and that it’s a sporting city. They know people from all over the world enjoy coming to Glasgow and the welcome they receive.”

The Commonwealth Games take place from July 23 to August 2. The European Athletics Championships are between August 10 and 16.