Scotland's biggest city has undergone a "metamorphosis" over the past 30 years, one of the delegates judging Glasgow's bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games said yesterday.
The positive words will give further encouragement to campaigners that the city is on the right track to secure the lucrative sporting event from its only rivals, Nigeria's Abuja.
Representatives from the Caribbean are in the middle of a four-day tour of Glasgow to find out what the city has to offer sportsmen and women.
They are the latest group of officials from the Commonwealth Games Federation who have visited Scotland to weigh up Glasgow's bid.
The latest positive comments were made yesterday by one of the most senior of the Caribbean delegates, Steve Stoute from Barbados, who has been to Scotland before when Edinburgh first hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1970. He described Glasgow's transformation: from "dreary" to "wonderful".
He said: "It seemed to be a dreary city. I don't want to use the term dirty, but it certainly was dreary. I am very impressed with the city, its people and its entire infrastructure. I was here many years ago and there has been a metamorphosis in the city. It's a wonderful city."
Glasgow argues hosting the Commonwealths will help it push ahead with the remarkable transformation it has undergone since 1970, when shipping, shipbuilding and smokestack industries made it a very different place from today's post-industrial city.
Mr Stoute, president of the Barbados Olympic Association, has already been to Abuja to view Glasgow's opposition. "I was pleasantly surprised," he said. "Their facilities are very good. The passion with which people will want to see the Games is impressive."
Glasgow and Abuja will not just be competing on the quality of their respective facilities or bids. Sentiment will also play a huge role. Mr Stoute said: "It could be a difficult decision. There's also the emotional element. We must not underestimate the fact that the Games have never been held in Africa. Abuja's concept is, Let's complete the circle'."
Abuja recently offered $125,000 (£61,500) to help nations organise training. A similar last-minute gesture by India - New Delhi will host the Games in 2010 - prompted cries of foul play from rival Hamilton in Ontario, Canada.
Five other delegations are due on inspection tours before the 71 Commonwealth countries vote in a secret ballot in Sri Lanka on November 9.
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