Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after the men’s 4X100m relay final of Athletics at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland on Aug. 2, 2014. Jamaica won the gold medal with a time of 37.58 seconds.
South African city Durban is set to be the host city of the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG) as the lone contender for the quadrennial, 71-member multisport event.
The 600-page bid book will be handed to Commonwealth Games Federation officials during a brief mid-day ceremony on Monday at the official residence of the London Lord Mayor, reports Xinhua.
South Africa has proposed a 12-day Games starting from July 18, birthday of late president Nelson Mandela.
Canadian city Edmonton also wanted to play host to the 2022 Games, but withdrew due to financial constraints.
National government, local government and sports officials of South Africa are tight-lipped about costs, saying only that the figures will be revealed on Monday.
“The 2022 Games will be affordable. About 95 percent of the infrastructure is in place,” South African Olympic body boss Gideon Sam told reporters before flying to London.
Sam says an economic impact study predicts visitors to the Games would spend 12 billion rand (1 billion dollars).
There would also be revenue from ticket sales and shares of broadcast and sponsorship deals.
South Africa has successfully hosted the football, rugby union and cricket World Cup tournaments. Bidding for the Commonwealth event is seen as a possible dress rehearsal for a 2024 or 2028 Olympics bid.
Glasgow hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 edition is scheduled for the Australian Gold Coast.
Source: AL – Sport
