Labour MSP Anas Sarwar says Glasgow is one of the top ten sporting cities in the world.

He points to the improvements to Glasgow's east end caused by the Commonwealth Games, including new housing, a new school and improve infrastructure.

Events such as the European Championships broadcast the city across the world and will help build closer trade links with Berlin, he says.

How do we get a long-term effect on participation in sport, he asks, and calls for improved analysis in how to get the most deprived communities to take advantage of activity.

Ending on a lighter note, Mr Sarwar suggests the Conservative amendment removes the reference to Glasgow 2014 as the best Commonwealth Games because Brian Whittle was not participating.

Image source, bbc

"There is nothing like being a competitor in your own home country," Tory MSP Brian Whittle tells the chamber, recalling his own experiences as an athlete representing Scotland.

However, our support and our passion for watching sport does not transfer to our health, he adds.

Regular participation in sport and activity will lead to better physical and mental health, Mr Whittle highlights.

He points to figures from sportscotland indicating a rise in membership in the governing bodies of the sports at the Commonwealth Games, but notes this pattern is not replicated in the Scottish Health Survey.

"We have fantastic world-class sport facilities", the Tory MSP says, but warns many local facilities are facing closure.

"Facilities need to be local, accessible and affordable."

Image source, bbc

Ms Campbell says 95% of funding provided through sportscotland goes to support grassroots sport.

The minister says 181 community sports hubs across Scotland are a direct result of Glasgow 2014.

She announces £500,000 for the community sports hub network to be overseen by Sportscotland.

Sport Minister Aileen Campbell begins on a consensual note by confirming the government will support Labour's amendment, which recognises the role of the bid teams.

However, she says the Tory amendment will not be supported due to its negativity regarding the impact of the Commonwealth Games 2014 legacy.

It is noted six sporting events will take place in Glasgow, with others to take place in Berlin.

Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale calls for a new velodrome to be built banked at 30 degrees, noting Glasgow's is 45 degrees. She says this will improve participation among disabled and younger people.

Aileen Campbell touches on Scotland's reputation for events and its economic impact.

The four I's - investment, innovation, inclusive growth and an international focus - provide a direction for the planning of the championships, she says.

• Run by leading European Sports Federations
• Brings together existing individual European Championships into one co-ordinated multi-sport concept
• Berlin and Glasgow will be the host cities in 2018
• 11-day celebration of European sport staged every 4 years
• First edition will be staged on the 2 - 12 August 2018

Image source, 2018 European Championships

• 2018 European Championships to include 7 leading sports: athletics, swimming, cycling, rowing, triathlon, golf & gymnastics
• Approximately 4,500 athletes to compete
• EBU and their free-to-air members are our broadcast partners. The individual events will have a potential total audience of more than 1.03 billion television viewers across the continent and an even wider audience via multiple digital platforms.

"A new era in world sport will get underway in the summer of 2018 as Glasgow and Berlin host the inaugural European Championships — an exciting new multi-sport event bringing together some of the continent’s leading sports including the existing European Championships for Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon with a new Golf Team Championships.

"To be staged every four years starting in August 2018, the European Championships will be a new highlight on the global sporting calendar, elevating the status of European Champions during an 11-day celebration of world-class sport and a packed 10-day broadcast schedule."

Image source, Glasgow 2018 European Championships

"Glasgow and Scotland will host Aquatics, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon while Berlin hosts Athletics.

"The Championships will take Scotland’s sporting reputation to the next level. With a potential television audience of up to 1.03 billion across Europe set to watch the action, Glasgow will again be in the spotlight with the event being covered by free-to-air broadcasters, including the BBC, across the continent."

Read more here., external

Image source, Glasgow City Council 2018

The Scottish government will now lead a member's debate on the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.

Image source, bbc

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson brings to an end the statement and questions on the future of Police Scotland's chief constable.

Tory MSP Maurice Corry asks whether the chief constable's leave of absence was at his own request initially.

The justice secretary confirms it was and was agreed by the SPA.

In response to a question from SNP MSP Clare Haughey, Mr Matheson highlghts that Susan Deacon has given a commitment that there will be a more robust process will be put in place in the future.

Labour MSP Jenny Marra asks why the cabinet secretary did not use his formal powers.

Mr Matheson explains it was because the SPA chair agreed to take forward his request.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says the cabinet secretary should have taken the time over the last year to sort out the SPA.

She says the return of the chief constable is an operational matter for the SPA not the minister.

Ms Baillie asks if the government or its officials spoke to the commissioner, Police Scotland or Phil Gormley on this issue.

Mr Matheson says this not an operational matter it is an issue of SPA governance.

He says it was for the SPA to consult with PIRC and Police Scotland and that had not been carried out, nor had thoughts to the welfare of staff been considered.

Justice committee convener and Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell says any intervention by Mr Matheson without the use of his formal powers means he acted ultra vires (a Latin phrase meaning "beyond the powers").

The justice secretary says formal powers were not used, but rather it was a request he made to the chair.

This request was then considered by the SPA, he says.