2022 Commonwealth Games

[Alexjc]

Durban has some great infrastructure in place, especially the area around the stadium which is almost begging to be an Olympic Park.

Durban could also take the Beijing approach and build an arena for each of the several universities within the city.

I wouldn't want Durban to use the Beijing approach...very expensive and even Beijing is finding it hard to put duplicate facilities to use.

Durban could host the 2022 CWGs with what they have now but SA would've hosted already

...

I believe the nation could skip the opportunity if they don't bother this time and jump straight into a 2024 OSG bid...They have nothing more to prove as to hosting mega events.

And if SA want to host, then they may push Cape Town as the long held favourite for a CWGs. It has the strongest ties to the 'Empire' that the other SA main centres.

[Athensfan]

I wouldn't want Durban to use the Beijing approach...very expensive and even Beijing is finding it hard to put duplicate facilities to use.

Durban could host the 2022 CWGs with what they have now but SA would've hosted already

...

I believe the nation could skip the opportunity if they don't bother this time and jump straight into a 2024 OSG bid...They have nothing more to prove as to hosting mega events.

And if SA want to host, then they may push Cape Town as the long held favourite for a CWGs. It has the strongest ties to the 'Empire' that the other SA main centres.

I agree about SA not following Beijing's approach. (How could they?!) I do think SA has a lot more to prove about hosting "mega events" as you say.

The 2010 WC was a great step forward, but as Nawal El Moutawakel pointed out, a single sport tournament spread over a whole country is totally different from hosting 23 world championships simultaneously in a single city. Durban really hasn't tackled anything even close to this. CWG would help.

[intoronto]

Its more then 23.

[ofan]

Beijing's approach based upon venues. They don't have to be 20,000 seaters that have no legacy, but venues that can be downsized and used by the universities after the games.

[baron-pierreIV]

This discussion has again degenerated into GB fans 'creating' a bid for a city which in reality, as a citizen of that city already stated--has, it appears, no desire to seek the CWG.

While the idea of Capetown going for a CWG is intriguing (and it can be adjusted to Capetown's warmer months vs. Durban's favorable-to-the-north July-August window); the only problem with that idea again is...it's only Durban that has the T&F stadium. Unless the RSA gov't completely loses its marbles, they are NOT going to spend another $650 million to build another albino rhinoceros stadium when there is already one standing there in Durban and a $400 million albeit football-only stadium still smelling fresh in Capetown. So fuggeadbout the idea of Capetown hosting anything to do with T&F. Not gonna happen.

[Athensfan]

Durban certainly doesn't HAVE to bid for CWGs. I'm just saying it would strengthen their position if they had successful CWGs under their belt. They may be able to win without it.

As for the number of world championships, what is it? 28? Whatever it is, it's a lot more complex than a World Cup and it places a much bigger burden on a single city.

[intoronto]

Durban certainly doesn't HAVE to bid for CWGs. I'm just saying it would strengthen their position if they had successful CWGs under their belt. They may be able to win without it.

As for the number of world championships, what is it? 28? Whatever it is, it's a lot more complex than a World Cup and it places a much bigger burden on a single city.

40.

Some sports have different world championships (like slalom and sprint canoeing are held separately).

[Athensfan]

40.

Some sports have different world championships (like slalom and sprint canoeing are held separately).

Does it matter? The point holds. A lot of sports vs. one.

[runningrings]

The biggest missed opportunity for Durban (or South Africa) is that they passed bidding on the 2018 CWG. It would have been a fantastic opportunity for them - and they would have easily defeated the Australian and Sri Lankan bids.

2018 would have been perfectly timed in terms of moving from the WC to a second tier multi sport event, and onto the Olympics in the 2020s.

Perhaps bidding on the 2022 CWG with the reasonable goal of the 2032 Olympics wouldn't be a bad idea - with the relatively safe assumption that 2024 and 2028 would be in either North America or Europe (interchangeably) South Africa could have an all but watertight case fore 2032.

[Rob2012]

London is set to pull out of plans to bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, I have learned. [Adrian Warner, BBC London Sports News Correspondent]

Despite earlier support from the Mayor and Government, the cost of the Games, estimated at £1 billion, is thought to be too high for capital

A final decision has yet to be made, but one well-placed source told me:"The way it is at the moment, a bid from London won't happen."

The Mayor would not be able to pay for the Games with a lot of Government support. The question is whether the Games would benefit London.

The capital has been focusing on hosting world events like Rugby World Cup and world athletics championships. But CG would mean security....at many more venues which is very expensive. Also does London need to market itself to the Commonwealth?

I will be explaining more about the Comm Games decision @BBCLondonNews at 1.30pm on BBC One.

https://twitter.com/adrian_warner

[yoshi]

Good. As I've said before, the Commies in England should be for the second tier cities, who could do with the publicity & marketing.

And the facilities.

[intoronto]

Does it matter? The point holds. A lot of sports vs. one.

You asked for it lol

[Sir Rols]

London claim still interested in 2022 Commonwealth Games but could face opposition from South Africa

October 24 - London Mayor Boris Johnson has dismissed reports that they are planning to withdraw its potential bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games - but they could face stiff opposition from South Africa if they do take their plans forward.

Following London 2012 there has been much talk about a 2022 bid from London which, if successful, would mark the first Commonwealth Games to be held in the city since 1934.

Reports circulated yesterday that London was preparing to abandon its bid plans as a consequence of the financial costs, expected to total £1 billion ($1.6 billion/€1.2 billion).

The report has been denied by the Mayor's office who emphasised that control over the bid lies out of their hands.

"We have never done anything other than consider the implications of the bid, the real control over the bidding process lies with Commonwealth Games England (CGE)," a spokesman toldinsidethegames.

"It is not our position to bid so it is not our position to withdraw.

"CGE would only go ahead if there was financial support from both London and Central Government, as there was before London 2012.

"Several things need to be overcome before a decision can be made but nothing has changed at the moment."

In order to capitalise on the facilities in place following London 2012 much interest was voiced about a potential London bid earlier this year.

Culture Secretary Maria Miller, then-Sports Minister Hugh Robertson and Sport England chief executive Jennie Price all publicly backed the idea, while Johnson admitted in May that "it would be a great thing if the Commonwealth Games came to this city in 2022."

Yet no bid has been officially launched and reports yesterday suggested that this enthusiasm of early summer has now dimmed.

A source within City Hall told BBC London that they though it "very unlikely that London will bid now" as "the cost of securing so many venues is very high".

London could instead be hoping to bid more for individual events, in addition to the 2016 World Track Cycling Championships and the 2017 World Athletics Championships which have been already secured.

Commonwealth Games England declined to comment following this latest development.

Gideon Sam, President of the South African Sports and Olympic body (SASCOC), has, meanwhile, reiterated the fact that South Africa is interested in bidding for the Games, although they first need the support of the country's Government.

"We need to put up our hand now and begin to make the noise if we do want to bid," he said.

"But the process people must understand is that it goes through sport and recreation and we have to put the documentation together, which will then go to Cabinet.

"Once Cabinet has said yes, we will then start an internal process to identify the city that would like to host on behalf of the country."

Sam was speaking in Durban, the city deemed most likely to be chosen, and he added the Commonwealth Games is a major event in itself, but was also seen as good preparation for countries hoping to host the Olympics later.

Singapore and the Sri Lankan city of Hambantota, which narrowly lost out in the race to host the 2018 Games, may also bid.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) have said that they "would not invite expressions of interest to holding the event until next year, with bids being put forward in 2015."

insidethegames

More than the London news, the interesting fact from article to me is it's the most concrete statement we've had yet that South Africa, or at lest SASCOC, is looking to bid.

[Alexjc]

This time next year we will know for sure...But I can see London pulling out if SA firms up its willingness to go for it. Its something the Commonwealth has been holding out for ages.

Reading Boris Johnson's words seem to think London might be finally comming down from its post Olympic high.

[yoshi]

This is huge. Surely Durban wouldn't go for Commies in 2022 & then Olympics as soon as 2024. With the 2028 decision in 2021, that seems unlikely too. They would surely wait until their Commies & then, if it goes well, then they'd announce an Olympics bid, 3 years before the 2032 decision in 2025. This seems to me to be perfect timing, if Durban goes for the Commies in 2022, they'd be shouting loud & clear to the IOC that 2032 is their time, thus leaving 2024 & 28 for (probably) Europe & North America (in whatever order). It would also be good for the IOC to have a justification for going to Durban other than 'It's in Africa'. All that's left is for Durban to announce a Commie bid, & things become much simpler for the IOC & potential bidding cities, with the African challenge removed. Then, when 2025 comes round, we might see a unanimous race as cities step aside for the Last Continent to get the prize.

[Rob2012]

South Africa has been slow but steady in its approach so far. If they're going for 2022 then I think 2024 will be a battle between a couple of European cities and (if they can get their act together) a solid US bid.

2028 wouldn't be completely out for SA though. If the cost of bidding weren't so high I'd suggest getting the 2022 CWGs, bid for 2028 with the hope of winning (though this may end up on the "wait and see" pile like Rio 2012), then go big for 2032 applying everything the 2022 hosting and 2028 bid have taught you. That would be a formidible bid, but the timeline slightly longer than most expect.

As for London, I hope we'll go for it at some point, but a cluster of huge events might mean we get nothing for ages, so maybe better to aim for a later edition! And I have some sympathy with the view that these Games could benefit smaller English cities more than London, but the cost of those Games would be a lot more than London which is more or less ready when it comes to venues.

[yoshi]

Birmingham wouldn't need much. Just an athletics stadium, a couple of other outdoor venues & put everything else in the NEC. Bristol would certainly need a lot doing (we'd have to basically build everything) but it would provide a big boost to the city. The Commies are the best chance to show that England isn't just London.

[baron-pierreIV]

The Commies are the best chance to show that England isn't just London.

Isles of Person and Orkney!!

[intoronto]

Durban aims to host Commonwealth Games

The eThekwini Municipality hopes that the facilities and experience in hosting international events will be advantageous to them in their bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

This is the view of municipality speaker Loggie Naidoo. In his address to the Sports, Events and Tourism Exchange dinner at the Moses Mabhida Stadium last night, Nadioo said the city has proved to be the country’s events hosting destination.

“We have the world class facilities that are supported by good infrastructure,” Naidoo said. “We have our strategy, we want to be Africa’s city for sports, arts and culture and tourism.”

As the bidding and hosting strategy was discussed at the SETE conference, which ended today, cities interested in hosting must submit their proposals to the South African Sports Confederations and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) before 31 March next year.

This is to avoid cities that raise their hands to host international events without consulting the federation. “It seems like cities compete against each other and that should not be the case. The attitude of going on your own should stop. It’s time to do things unison.” Sascoc president Gideon Sam said.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development and Tourism, Mike Mabuyakhulu, shares the same sentiments as Naidoo, but warns that they must not underestimate other cities.

“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves,” said Mabuyakhulu. “It’s a matter of common course but Durban has facilities that are comparable to the word.

“Durban is well-documented globally. We have proved beyond reasonable doubt in the previous events we’ve hosted.”

Mabuyakhulu said sports tourism has a huge impact in the economy and said they engage in “productive events spending not consumption spending”.

DA eThekwini deputy caucus leader and Umhlanga councillor, Heinz De Boer, said financial implications have to considered before the city and country bid. “It would be unwise to try and host any Commonwealth games or even Olympics without considering the financial implications to the city and country as a whole,” De Boer said.

“We cannot afford to spend what could be several billion rand to host these events if it means other service delivery is compromised.

“The hosting of major events can only be positive for the local economy of a city…economic factors would determine whether we host.”

KZN is not new in hosting major sports events as they have previous hosted Volvo Golf Championship, Dusi Marathon, Comrades Marathon,co-hosted 2010 Soccer World Cup and 2013 African Cup of Nations.

Also this video discusses RSA bid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBuIdJzTTT4&list

The deadline appears to be March 31, 2014

[runningrings]

Go for it - Durban! Let the 2024 Olympics fall in the lap of Paris, and take on the 2028/32 Olympics - utilising the framework of the 2022 CWG. Think Seoul 1986 Asiad and then 1988.

London can have the Centennial Games in 2030. By then QE2 Park will need a bit of a spruce up. Perhaps Canada, NZ and Asia can fight it out over 2026.

[Alexjc]

Step aside everyone...Let AFRICA have these.

...and that means you London.

[yoshi]

Absolutely. The CGF could (perhaps should) stop the process.

[runningrings]

But we can't force an African country to stage the 2022 CWG if there is no interest. What then?

Remember, we've just had one African country drop out of Glasgow 2014, calling it a neocolonial affair, and there has only been on African city (Abuja) make a real attempt at securing the event.

Africa is nice - but the CGF is not in any position to demand potentially fantastic candidates like London, Edmonton, Singapore, Adelaide or Auckland sit it out just so it can fall into the lap of (any) unprepared African city that shows interest.

[George_D]

what about sri lanka? they lost for a few votes the 2018 games

[runningrings]

what about sri lanka? they lost for a few votes the 2018 games

If Sri Lanka puts forward Colombo instead of its fishing village experiment then it might actually have a realistic chance.

Colombo isn't exactly a write off and has the potential to be an SE Asian Victoria.