FORMER middle distance runner and Tanzania team boss Filbert Bayi praised Glasgow Commonwealth Games organisers on a visit to the city.

Just days before the 40th anniversary of his record breaking run at the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, he joined delegates from all 70 Commonwealth nations to inspect the venues.

Bayi, 60, was in the city to check out the facilities for his country's athletes who will be competing in Glasgow.

Last time Bayi visited Hampden - the home of athletics for the Games - it was still a football pitch.

The athletes village was only around 75% finished and still a building site in many respects.

But, this week, he will get an impression of what the city will be like when he leads Tanzania's athletes into Scotland for the competitions.

He said transport links would be very important to the athletes and staff travelling between the village and competition venues.

Bayi said: "Seeing the village is important so you know how comfortable the athlete's stay will be, where they are staying, how close the village is to the stadia and where the athletes are doing their sports.

"When I came in July last year we walked from one venue to another venue, moving from the village. Most of the venues are close to the village so people can walk to the venues. That is a good thing."

Throughout the week the Chef de Mission's of all the teams competing at the Games will inspect the Athletes' Village, Emirates Arena and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, and Hampden Park.

As team bosses they are responsible for looking after all staff, athletes and officials from their country's Commonwealth Games Association.

During their stay they will be given all the details of training and competitions, transport, medal ceremonies, and the Games cultural programme.

And the visit coincides with Bayi's special sporting anniversary. He still holds the Commonwealth Games record for the 1500m after charging for the finish in one of the most famous races recorded, on February 2, 1974.

Although he believes his achievement has largely been "forgotten," he remains a huge fan of the Games.

He said these competitions, along with the European Championships and the All-African Games are vital for athletes. Bayi, who won silver in the 3000m steeplechase at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, added: "You can't be at the Olympics without competing in the Commonwealth Games.

"I competed at the Olympic Games but I started with the All-African Games."

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk