Volunteers at the UCI Cycling World Championships have been banned from using sustainable water bottles gifted by the organisers because they are a security threat.

Thousands of helpers were given commemorative aluminium bottles as part of their welcome pack and told they could be used at events in Glasgow venues including the Emirates Arena "provided they were empty on arrival".

In the run-up to the championships starting,  volunteers were told that items prohibited venues included "any glass or metal container  - other than aluminium water bottles."

Glasgow Times:

They could then fill them with free drinking water provided inside the venues.

Spectators were, however, given conflicting information and told to bring "a suitable empty clear plastic container" when watching events.

Now, volunteers have been sent an e-mail, stating that they must bring their own, presumably plastic, water bottles as metal and glass is prohibited.

No explanation was given for the policy change with days to go until the end of the championships.

The e-mail said any commemorative bottles brought to venues would be confiscated by security.

One volunteer told our sister title The Herald: "Because we did not get an explanation, volunteers wondered if there was something wrong with their bottles.

"There were also real concerns that the bottles might have been some kind of security risk at venues."

A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: “As part of their welcome pack, our Champs Clan volunteers received a selection of sustainable competition-branded souvenirs that can be used and cherished long after these memorable 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships have ended.

“Security measures at venues prohibit certain items including metal and glass for safety reasons.

"Updated information has been issued to volunteers at Glasgow venues to remind them to use their own reusable water bottles while on shift.”

Across the whole Championships, 4,000 volunteers were enlisted, with 368 supporting the events in the Borders.