Bids for the 2018 Commonwealth Games
Encyclopedia
Bidding for the 2018 Commonwealth Games
began on the 31 March 2010. The winning bid was announced in Basseterre
, St Kitts on 11 November 2011.
Australia
Gold Coast
, Queensland
On 22 August 2008, the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh
, officially launched the Gold Coast's bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2018. Ron Clarke
, a medallist at both Commonwealth and Olympic Games and present Mayor of the Gold Coast, is expected to take a key role in promoting the bid. On April 7, 2009, the ABC reported a land exchange deal between the City of Gold Coast and State of Queensland for Carrara Stadium. According to Mayor Ron Clarke the land will aid a potential bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The land exchanged would be used as the site of an aquatics centre. In the same article Mayor Clarke raised the question of the Australian Federal Government's commitment to a 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid in light of the Government's support for Australia's 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals bid. On 16 April 2009, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told reporters that a successful Commonwealth Games bid by the Gold Coast could help the tourist strip win a role in hosting the World Cup.
"Some of the infrastructure that would be built for the Commonwealth Games will be useful for the Gold Coast to get a World Cup game out of the soccer World Cup if we're successful as a nation," she said. However the decision on the 2018 and 2022 Fifa World Cups will come 11 months prior to the bid decision for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, so the potential World Cup venues will already have been chosen. On 3 June 2009, the Gold Coast was confirmed as Australia's exclusive bidder vying for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. "Should a bid proceed, the Gold Coast will have the exclusive Australian rights to bid as host city for 2018," Premier Anna Bligh stated.
"Recently I met with the president and CEO of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association and we agreed to commission a full and comprehensive feasibility study into the potential for the 2018 Commonwealth Games," she said. "Under the stewardship of Queensland Events new chair, Mr Geoff Dixon, that study is now well advanced." On 15 March 2010, it was announced that the Queensland Government will provide initial funding of AU$11 million for the 2018 Commonwealth Games bid. The Premier of Queensland has indicated the Government's support for the bid to the Australian Commonwealth Games Association. On 31 March 2010, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association officially launched the bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In October 2011, Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke
stated that the games would provide a strong legacy for the city after the games have ended.
, Sri Lanka
Hambantota 2018 is one of two bids to stage the 2018 Commonwealth Games, first recognized by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on March 31, 2010.
On March 31, 2010, a surprise bid was made for the 2018 Commonwealth Games by the Sri Lanka
n city of Hambantota
. Hambantota
was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and there is a major face lift going in the city of Hambantota
. The first phase of the Port of Hambantota
is nearing completion and it is funded by the government of China
. The Mattala International Airport
, which is the second international Airport of Sri Lanka is built close to Hambantota
.The bid for the commonwealth games is line with GOSL decision to develop Hambantota
as a sports hub. Also a new Hambantota International Cricket Stadium has been built, and has hosted matches in the 2011 Cricket World Cup
. If Sri Lanka wins the bid to host the games, it promises to have all the venues built by December 2016, with 2017 being used for test events. All the venues would be clustered in the same area except a couple of venues. Sri Lanka's recent win to stage the 2011 South Asian Beach Games
and hosting of the 2011 Cricket World Cup
in Hambantota, is said to strengthen the bid. On January 31, 2011 the logo was launched for the bid.
- State Opposition Leader Martin Hamilton-Smith committed to a bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games if the Liberals were elected in 2010. However, the bid would have needed to be made before the poll. The government ruled the option out, with the then treasurer, Kevin Foley
, labeling the Commonwealth games a 'B" grade event. On 28 November 2008, Adelaide withdrew, with State Sport Minister Michael Wright blaming budgetary pressures. Projects such as Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Hospital (since renamed to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital
, the desalination plant, and transport were deemed more pressing.
Perth
, Australia
confirmed in 2009 that it would not pursue a bid to hold the games in 2018.
Abuja
, Nigeria
- Abuja bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games
, and finished runner ups. They also announced an intention to bid, but did not do so at the deadline.
Auckland
, New Zealand
- Auckland's bid to stage the 2018 Commonwealth Games ended when the government of New Zealand announced they will not provide financial support to stage the games. The Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key confirmed that the government would not back Auckland's bid. Key said that the issue was not the cost of the bid itself, but how much it would cost to run the event. He said New Zealand would face a NZ$600 million loss, even taking into account benefits such as increased tourism, if it was to go ahead.
Christchurch
, New Zealand
- According to a 2009 report by Radio New Zealand, Christchurch City Council withdrew from bidding for the 2018 games.
Port of Spain
, Trinidad and Tobago
- Port of Spain launched a bid, but ultimately the Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association decided not to proceed with the process.
2018 Commonwealth Games
The 2018 Commonwealth Games is an international multi-sport event that will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia between 4 to 15 April 2018...
began on the 31 March 2010. The winning bid was announced in Basseterre
Basseterre
Basseterre , estimated population 15,500 in 2000, is the capital of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies. Geographically, the Basseterre port is located at , on the south western coast of Saint Kitts Island, and it is one of the chief commercial depots of the Leeward Islands...
, St Kitts on 11 November 2011.
Selection Process
Two bids for the 2018 Commonwealth Games were submitted. Gold Coast and Hambantota were the two bidding cities. On November 11, 2011, Gold Coast won its bid to host the Commonwealth Games.| 2018 Commonwealth Games bidding results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| City | Country | Votes | |
| Gold Coast Gold Coast, Queensland Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous... |
 AustraliaAustralia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
43 | |
| Hambantota Hambantota Hambantota is a coastal city in the south of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Hambantota District... |
 Sri LankaSri Lanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the... |
27 | |
Key Dates
| 2018 Commonwealth Games - Deadline Dates | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Event | Location | |||||
| 31 March 2010 | Deadline for CGA's/Candidate Cities to notify of intention to bid | London London London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
|||||
| 16 April 2010 | Payment of Candidate City Fee for assessment and support of lodgement of original copy of Candidate Procedure Acceptance | London, England | |||||
| Last week April 2010 | Meeting of all Candidate Cities | London, England | |||||
| 30 June 2010 | Signed return of Host City Contracts | London, England | |||||
| October 2010 | Candidate City Observers Program | Delhi Delhi Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census... , India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
|||||
| November/December 2010 | New Delhi 2010 Debriefing and Candidate City Seminar | Delhi, India | |||||
| February 2011 | CGF- Candidate City Meeting | TBD | |||||
| 11 May 2011 | Bid Lodging Deadline | London, England | |||||
| June/July 2011 | Evaluation commission visits Candidate City | Declared Candidate Cities | |||||
| September 2011 | Publishing of Evaluation Report | London, England | |||||
| October 2011 | Deadline for Candidate City Bid Changes | London, England | |||||
| 11 November 2011 | Bid Election | Basseterre Basseterre Basseterre , estimated population 15,500 in 2000, is the capital of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies. Geographically, the Basseterre port is located at , on the south western coast of Saint Kitts Island, and it is one of the chief commercial depots of the Leeward Islands... , St Kitts and Nevis |
|||||
AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
Gold CoastGold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
On 22 August 2008, the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh
Anna Bligh
Anna Maria Bligh is an Australian politician and the Premier of Queensland since 2007. The 2009 Queensland state election was the first time a female-led political party won or retained state or federal government in Australia...
, officially launched the Gold Coast's bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2018. Ron Clarke
Ron Clarke
Ronald William "Ron" Clarke, MBE is a former Australian athlete, writer, and current Mayor of the Gold Coast. He is one of the best known middle and long distance runners in the 1960s, notable for setting seventeen world records.- Early life and family :He attended Melbourne High School...
, a medallist at both Commonwealth and Olympic Games and present Mayor of the Gold Coast, is expected to take a key role in promoting the bid. On April 7, 2009, the ABC reported a land exchange deal between the City of Gold Coast and State of Queensland for Carrara Stadium. According to Mayor Ron Clarke the land will aid a potential bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The land exchanged would be used as the site of an aquatics centre. In the same article Mayor Clarke raised the question of the Australian Federal Government's commitment to a 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid in light of the Government's support for Australia's 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals bid. On 16 April 2009, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told reporters that a successful Commonwealth Games bid by the Gold Coast could help the tourist strip win a role in hosting the World Cup.
"Some of the infrastructure that would be built for the Commonwealth Games will be useful for the Gold Coast to get a World Cup game out of the soccer World Cup if we're successful as a nation," she said. However the decision on the 2018 and 2022 Fifa World Cups will come 11 months prior to the bid decision for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, so the potential World Cup venues will already have been chosen. On 3 June 2009, the Gold Coast was confirmed as Australia's exclusive bidder vying for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. "Should a bid proceed, the Gold Coast will have the exclusive Australian rights to bid as host city for 2018," Premier Anna Bligh stated.
"Recently I met with the president and CEO of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association and we agreed to commission a full and comprehensive feasibility study into the potential for the 2018 Commonwealth Games," she said. "Under the stewardship of Queensland Events new chair, Mr Geoff Dixon, that study is now well advanced." On 15 March 2010, it was announced that the Queensland Government will provide initial funding of AU$11 million for the 2018 Commonwealth Games bid. The Premier of Queensland has indicated the Government's support for the bid to the Australian Commonwealth Games Association. On 31 March 2010, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association officially launched the bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In October 2011, Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke
Ron Clarke
Ronald William "Ron" Clarke, MBE is a former Australian athlete, writer, and current Mayor of the Gold Coast. He is one of the best known middle and long distance runners in the 1960s, notable for setting seventeen world records.- Early life and family :He attended Melbourne High School...
stated that the games would provide a strong legacy for the city after the games have ended.
Asia
HambantotaHambantota
Hambantota is a coastal city in the south of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Hambantota District...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
Hambantota 2018 is one of two bids to stage the 2018 Commonwealth Games, first recognized by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on March 31, 2010.
On March 31, 2010, a surprise bid was made for the 2018 Commonwealth Games by the Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n city of Hambantota
Hambantota
Hambantota is a coastal city in the south of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Hambantota District...
. Hambantota
Hambantota
Hambantota is a coastal city in the south of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Hambantota District...
was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and there is a major face lift going in the city of Hambantota
Hambantota
Hambantota is a coastal city in the south of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Hambantota District...
. The first phase of the Port of Hambantota
Port of Hambantota
The Port of Hambantota is a maritime port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. The first phase of the port was opened on 18 November 2010, with the first ceremonial berthing of the naval ship "Jetliner" to use the port facilities. Hambantota Port is built inland and operated by the Sri Lanka Ports...
is nearing completion and it is funded by the government of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. The Mattala International Airport
Mattala International Airport
The Mattala International Airport is an international airport currently under construction in Mattala, in the Hambantota District in the south of Sri Lanka...
, which is the second international Airport of Sri Lanka is built close to Hambantota
Hambantota
Hambantota is a coastal city in the south of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Hambantota District...
.The bid for the commonwealth games is line with GOSL decision to develop Hambantota
Hambantota
Hambantota is a coastal city in the south of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Hambantota District...
as a sports hub. Also a new Hambantota International Cricket Stadium has been built, and has hosted matches in the 2011 Cricket World Cup
2011 Cricket World Cup
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
. If Sri Lanka wins the bid to host the games, it promises to have all the venues built by December 2016, with 2017 being used for test events. All the venues would be clustered in the same area except a couple of venues. Sri Lanka's recent win to stage the 2011 South Asian Beach Games
2011 South Asian Beach Games
The 1st South Asian Beach Games are scheduled to be held in Hambantota, Sri Lanka between 8 to 14 October 2011. The opening ceremony will be held at the Hambantota Beach Stadium, located in Hambantota district...
and hosting of the 2011 Cricket World Cup
2011 Cricket World Cup
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
in Hambantota, is said to strengthen the bid. On January 31, 2011 the logo was launched for the bid.
Withdrawn and considered bids
These cities launched bids or indicated interest, but ultimately did not bid . Adelaide, AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
- State Opposition Leader Martin Hamilton-Smith committed to a bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games if the Liberals were elected in 2010. However, the bid would have needed to be made before the poll. The government ruled the option out, with the then treasurer, Kevin Foley
Kevin Foley
Kevin Owen Foley , Australian politician, is the current Minister for Industry and Trade and Minister for Federal/State Relations in the Rann Labor government. He previously served as Treasurer of South Australia and Deputy Premier of South Australia from 2002 until his resignation in 2011...
, labeling the Commonwealth games a 'B" grade event. On 28 November 2008, Adelaide withdrew, with State Sport Minister Michael Wright blaming budgetary pressures. Projects such as Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Hospital (since renamed to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital
Royal Adelaide Hospital
The Royal Adelaide Hospital is Adelaide's largest hospital, with 680 beds. Founded in 1840, the Royal Adelaide provides tertiary health care services for South Australia and provides secondary care clinical services to residents of Adelaide's city centre and inner suburbs.The hospital is situated...
, the desalination plant, and transport were deemed more pressing.
Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
confirmed in 2009 that it would not pursue a bid to hold the games in 2018.
Abuja
Abuja
Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. It is located in the centre of Nigeria, within the Federal Capital Territory . Abuja is a planned city, and was built mainly in the 1980s. It officially became Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
- Abuja bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games
2014 Commonwealth Games
The 20th Commonwealth Games in 2014 will be held in Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland. The winning city was announced by the Commonwealth Games Federation on 9 November 2007 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Games will run over 11 days of competition from 24 July to 3 August 2014...
, and finished runner ups. They also announced an intention to bid, but did not do so at the deadline.
Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
- Auckland's bid to stage the 2018 Commonwealth Games ended when the government of New Zealand announced they will not provide financial support to stage the games. The Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key confirmed that the government would not back Auckland's bid. Key said that the issue was not the cost of the bid itself, but how much it would cost to run the event. He said New Zealand would face a NZ$600 million loss, even taking into account benefits such as increased tourism, if it was to go ahead.
Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
- According to a 2009 report by Radio New Zealand, Christchurch City Council withdrew from bidding for the 2018 games.
Port of Spain
Port of Spain
Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population...
, Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
- Port of Spain launched a bid, but ultimately the Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association decided not to proceed with the process.