Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid Described as “Exciting” by Evaluation Commission

Australia’s Gold Coast’s plans for the 2018 event have been described as “exciting” by Commonwealth Games officials, after completing an inspection visit to Australia on Thursday.

Gold Coast are competing with the Sri Lankan city of Hambantota for the games. The host to be named at the Federation’s General Assembly in St. Kitts and Nevis on November 11 later this year.

The Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation Commission met with the Queensland state Premier Anna Bligh, Gold Coast Mayor and former athletics great Ron Clark, the bid team and the Australian Commonwealth Games Association.

Louise Martin, who was chair of Glasgow’s successful campaign to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, leads the Evaluation Commission. She said: “Overall, we can tell you that the proposition of staging the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast is an exciting one and appears, based on our initial analysis, to be sound.

“The international audience and focus that the Commonwealth Games will further enhance the international standing and image of the Gold Coast and assist to promote it as one of the world’s great destinations.”

The evaluation commission is due to travel to Hambantota for a visit next week and will release its report on the two bid cities by October 11.