Glasgow is host with the most.

NEXT year's Special Olympics National Summer Games will provide further proof that Glasgow's Miles Better when it comes to hosting major sporting events.

The city has been the venue for numerous memorable occasions. Many have taken place at Hampden Park, which has seen one of football's greatest goals and greatest games.

In 1960 the great Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano both scored hat-tricks as Real Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 in an all-time classic European Cup Final.

The Spanish side returned to the city 42 years later when their Champions League triumph over Bayer Leverkusen was clinched by a superb volley from French genius Zinedine Zidane.

Hampden also hosted the European Cup Final in 1976 when Bayern Munich beat St Etienne 1-0.

But although Glasgow is renowned for being a football-mad city it is more than capable of putting on a show when it comes to other sports.

Its record of success is one of the reasons why the thousands who will flock to Scotland's biggest city for the Special Olympics next July can be confident of having a great time.

Glasgow got a taste of what's in store when it staged the European Special Olympics in 1990. They began with a glittering ceremony at Celtic Park.

Around 2400 athletes from 30 countries took part and the games closed with a joyous party at the SECC on the banks of the Clyde.

Four years ago the Gymnastics World Cup Final was held in the city and the World Kendo Championships came to Glasgow last year.

Snowboarding enthusiasts flocked to George Square earlier this year to enjoy the thrills and spills of the Red Bull Rail Storm.

And the River Clyde was the venue for the speed merchants of the Zap Cat powerboat races.

Eight months ago strongmen and powerful women from 17 nations came to the Kelvin Hall for the World Tug of War Championships.

Each year the Britannic Asset Management Women's 10k and the Fresh 'n' Lo Great Scottish Run motivate thousands of runners to pound the city's streets.

And if next year's Special Olympics are a success it will only further enhance Glasgow's standing as Scotland's candidate to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Gavin MacLeod, chief executive of Scottish Disability Sport, said: 'The prospect of 3000 athletes, 1000 coaches, 2500 parents and friends plus 1400volunteers coming to Scotland is exciting to say the least.

'We at Scottish Disability Sport look forward to a successful and friendly Special Olympics Summer Games in true Glasgow tradition.'

CAPTION(S):

Zap cats: Racing; on the River Clyde; Glory goal: Zidane