Glasgow's Games, the best there have ever been.

It really is as simple as that. The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games put our city in the spotlight like never before with over 1.2million tickets sold and a global television audience of ­1.5billion. And in true Glasgow style we rose to the challenge, putting on a show that wowed the world.

From the Opening Ceremony, to Team Scotland's record breaking medal haul in our world-class venues, and from the Queen's Baton Relay to the Festival 2014 Live Zones, Glasgow has never seen anything like this or looked as good.

There has been a fantastic atmosphere in the city and it has been impossible to walk through the streets without raising a smile.

Our Games were a truly world-class celebration of sport. Countless World and Commonwealth records were broken.

Who will ever forget Usain Bolt dancing at Hampden Park or Lynsey Sharp storming to silver in the 800m final despite being in her sick bed just a few hours earlier?

I am incredibly proud of the fact our Games included the largest ever number of para-sport events. And what an undoubted success that was with cyclists Craig MacLean and Neil Fachie winning two golds and Aileen McGlynn and Louise Haston securing double silver.

And at Hampden, I was thrilled to see Libby Clegg storm the track to victory in the T-12 100m final.

But it was never going to be about just 11 days of sporting competition. Glasgow's Games have secured a lasting legacy for our city. Over £200million of Games related contracts were awarded to city firms while more than 5000 people have secured a job or apprenticeship thanks to the council's £50million Glasgow Guarantee.

Participation in sport is now at a record high with 6.6million attendances at our venues over the last year. Membership of grassroots sports clubs has more than trebled since 2009. And some 700 families will soon move into new homes in what was the Athletes' Village.

Glasgow's Games have changed our city forever.

IN poignant contrast to the Games our city fell silent yesterday as we commemorated the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Heads of government from across the Commonwealth attended a memorial service in Glasgow Cathedral before His Royal Highness Prince Charles led a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph in George Square.

Millions of lives were lost and we must never forget their sacrifice, nor the service of today's armed forces.

And in their honour we should do everything we can to ensure peace in our time, at home and abroad.