From the world’s fastest man to the 13-year-old swimming sensation: The Commonwealth Games has it all!

If you are looking for cultural diversity, record-breaking achievements and hours of sporting prowess, then the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games is the destination for you. With a range of impressive accolades to its name, we look at some of the most fascinating details about this world-class event.

Compete against Usain Bolt

You don’t have to be a professional athlete to get involved at this year’s games and compete against the world’s fastest man: Usain Bolt. If you are in Glasgow, then head over to Glasgow Green and take part in Race Bolt – an interactive experience, promoted by Virgin Media, where you will have the opportunity to race against a screen image of the great man himself.

It’s not just the powerful Jamaican who is expected to break a record at the 2014 Glasgow Games.  Commonwealth Games facts such as those detailed in Virgin Media’s infographic on the subject, include tales of prowess from all over the world. Here are some of our favourites.

Records are made to be broken

The astonishing swimming achievement set by 13-year-old Erraid Davies is just one of the many tales of wonder that will emanate from the 2014 games. The swimmer won bronze in 100-metre para SB-9 and she is Scotland’s youngest ever competitor.

Anyone can excel

The Commonwealth Games represent a goal for even the non-athletic. Seven years ago, marathon runner Steve Way smoked 20 cigarettes a day and weighed in at an unhealthy 16.5 stone. This year he came tenth in the games’ marathon; scoring a personal best of 2 hours 15 minutes and 16 seconds.

General facts about the games

With 53 nations able to compete in the games, 6,500 athletes will participate in the 17 events and the whole affair will last for 11 days. This is an action packed time for Scotland so be prepared to bump into the Games’ mascot, Clyde, wandering around the city streets and sporting venues. He’s the one with a thistle shaped head and proudly wearing a tee shirt with the cross of St Andrew emblazoned across his chest.

If Clyde’s really lucky he’ll become as popular as Matilda the Kangaroo, the emblem of the 1982 Brisbane Olympics who is currently the source of a petition to reinstate her for 2018 Games.

Opportunity for all

Australia holds the record for amassing the largest number of medals – a total of 2080 up until 2014 – and their tally is still increasing. Whereas 19 participant countries have yet to post an entry on the leader board, it seems the Land Down Under is unstoppable … unless you count rugby of course, where neighbouring New Zealand remains undefeated since 1998 –scooping all medals in the Rugby Sevens from this time.

For some competitors, even reaching the games is a challenge. Remote islands like St Helena must travel to the event by boat as there’s no direct flights or airport! Of course, how you get to the event isn’t important … it’s the taking part that counts!