GLASGOW has been ranked as the eighth best sporting city in the world.

The SportsBusiness Ultimate Sports Cities Awards are the recognised global rankings for cities and are presented every two years.

In 2012, Glasgow was ranked ninth but has now moved up a place on the league table.

It was given a higher ranking this year because of the number of world-class events the city has hosted in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games and its achievement as being shortlisted as a finalist for the 2018 Youth Olympics.

Glasgow City Council leader, Gordon Matheson, said: "Glasgow's ranking is a fantastic achievement for a city of our size.

"Such recognition for the city's work in attracting not only the Commonwealth Games but a fantastic series of sporting events at the highest level, both over the past few years and into the next few, provides a worthy testament to the work done by the council and our partners to get to this stage.

"These events bring a significant economic boost to Glasgow and to punch way above our weight in this way against cities many times our size shows the confidence that international events and sports bodies have in us."

The list of international sports events Glasgow has hosted over the past few years includes World Cup Gymnastics, UCI Track Cycling World Cup, Emirates Airlines Rugby 7s, Speedo Duel in the Pool and the British International Athletics meeting.

As well as the Commonwealth Games, the city this summer will also host the Sainsbury's Glasgow Grand Prix and will be the venue for the European Judo Championships, IPC World Swimming Championships and the World Artistic Gymnastic Championships.

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk