GLASGOW is already known the world over as a great sporting city.

We have a proud track record of hosting international events and investing in world-class infrastructure.

That is why, last week, I was delighted to attend the official launch of our bid to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2018.

Glasgow is very strongly placed to host the Games, with 99% of venues already in place, a wide range of accommodation available and a revitalised transport network all able to provide a wonderful experience for the next generation of Olympians.

But our bid is about far more than infrastructure.

Dame Kelly Holmes joined us at the launch and spoke about her experiences competing in youth events and how that had given her the motivation to go on and become a champion at Commonwealth and Olympic level.

Building on the legacy of London 2012 and the Commonwealth Games in 2014, the Youth Olympics can inspire our young people to stay active and become champions in whatever they do.

Young people are at the very heart of our bid and will be our strongest voice as we go all out to bring the Youth Olympic Games to these shores for the first time.

We have received tremendous cross-party backing for the bid in Glasgow and I hope all Glaswegians will go to the website, www.glasgow2018.com, and register their support.

We know there is no better place to host the Games in 2018; but we need all the support we can to make it a reality.

AS leader of the council, a key part of my role is to engage with community groups and businesses in the city.

I'll shortly be kicking off a series of visits where I will meet major employers in the city.

These visits will give me the opportunity to outline the council's vision for the city, to answer questions and to listen to the concerns and issues that affect these organisations on a daily basis.

I want a listening and responsive council where the needs of employers and of community groups are heard and taken into account.

My visits over the coming months will play a key role in how we create jobs and support the most vulnerable in our city.

THE Diamond Jubilee celebrations reach Glasgow next Wednesday when Her Majesty the Queen visits the city.

Glasgow City Council is hosting a street party event on George Square with music and family entertainment running throughout the day from 11am until 8.15pm.

The event will have street theatre, clowns, balloon-modellers, face-painters, horse and dray rides and an open-air concert featuring established artists such as Hue and Cry and Michelle McManus and some of the city's finest young talent in the Glasgow Youth Choir and young people from St Paul's Primary School.

Gates open at 9.30am, entry is free and no tickets are required.

This will be another great event in George Square following on from the Olympic Torch and I am sure we will see Glasgow at its finest.