EVERY picture tells a story and these images show that Glasgow is getting ready to showcase her sporting credentials to a worldwide audience.

The countdown to the 2014 Commonwealth Games has began and Scotland's biggest city is on track to put the pride back into an event which was marred by shoddy workmanship when last held in the sprawling Indian city of Delhi.

The walls have gone up and the roof is completed on the multi-million pound Commonwealth Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome which lies just a corner kick away from the home of Celtic.

Next to the complex is the new East End Regeneration Route which will take traffic from the area to the motorway network and on the other side foundations are being laid for the Athletes Village.

The huge construction programme would not look out of place in any major European city. The building work represents major investment in cash-starved Dalmarnock worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

Councillor Archie Graham has responsibility for the Games and is a frequent visitor to the indoor arena and cycling complex.

He said: "Every time I visit I'm amazed. It's an iconic building and it fills me with pride. And I'm really proud we have an arena and velodrome standing two years ahead of the Games.

"This is not just one large building – it's four.

"We have the velodrome, arena and two hubs.

"Glasgow Life will run what will be an ordinary sports club. It will have saunas and a gym – it will be a sports centre in every since while the other building will be a community sports hub.

"The equipment will be available to schools, sports clubs and community groups.

"These have all been built for the people of Glasgow. It will be their legacy. The buildings will only be loaned out to athletes and officials as well as the Commonwealth Games Federation for a fortnight.

"The arena is so big. Athletic events will be held there although during the Games it will host badminton competitions. There's seating on the walls which pull out like an accordion so that we can have spectactors sitting really close when badminton is played.

"The Athletes Village will be used to create a new estate. It's too only on loan and belongs to the people of Glasgow and what I believe is unique is that the facilities will be used before the Games are held. I don't believe that's happened before."

World class swimming and cycling events are just some of the major competitions being lined up ahead of the Commonwealth sports extravaganza which is expected to be watched around the globe by up to one billion television viewers with pictures beamed lived by satellite BBC crews.

Councillor Graham added: "These facilities are being built for the people of Glasgow. We're just lending them out for a fortnight. This will be a wonderful legacy.

"And for the people of Dalmarnock the area could become a magnet and a real sports hub. Celtic have ambitious plans which include an hotel and museum. It's all good."

It's a sentiment shared by local community activist Yvonne Kucuk.

She's spearheads the People's Development Trust launched by residents in Dalmarnock to make sure they benefit long term from the structures and investment which are changing their lives.

Yvonne said: "I don't think there's anywhere else which has an arena and velodrome together in the same building. It's unique and I've been inside. It's breathtaking and so huge.

"The facilities are really world class and that will be our legacy. Locals have already been promised free tickets to some of the sports events being staged before the Games and if we can get some of the children into jobs then that will be a major benefit to the community."

Yvonne repeatedly points out that the people of Dalmarnock are currently living in the middle of a building site. But locals realise the long-term benefits will be life changing for a community long starved of investment. "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs," she insists.

gordon.thomson@eveningtimes.co.uk