Huge amount of Interest in Hosting 2022, Insists Commonwealth Games CEO

David Grevemberg, the ceo of the Commonwealth Games Federation, says that there is an “enormous amount of interest” in hosting the 2022 Games following the decision to strip Durban of the event this week.

Grevemberg, speaking in London at a press briefing for the 2018 Games in Gold Coast, Australia, said that lessons had been learned from the Durban fiasco but that the CGF is confident of finding an alternative host.

Following economic turmoil in South Africa, Durban was stripped of the hosting rights of the 2022 Games having been awarded the event in September 2015.

Addressing the media at London’s Australia High Commission, Grevemberg confirmed that there was a queue of cities for 2022.

He said: “I think what has been reinforced to me over the past few weeks as there’s been quite a bit of speculation around the Games and what our decision would be, there’s been an enormous outpouring of interest, whether it’s for 2022 or beyond, people have really shown ambition which reinforces the value and potential but also the responsibility that we have to do this right.

“I’m very, very confident that the expressions of interest will manifest in some way to some sporting events whether it’s our youth Games or our main Games in the future and I think now it’s about taking all of these propositions and energy and pointing it in the right direction.”

Although cities like Manchester and Liverpool have already expressed an interest, Grevemberg refused to discuss any possible bids and said that the CGF would not be “rash” in making a decision.

But he did admit that the bidding processes would have to change in the future. Durban was originally the only bidder for 2022 after Edmonton pulled out of the race.

“There are lessons learned through this process,” Grevemberg said, “and we’ll continue to refine our requirements but also more importantly our support and partnership approach to working with cities and their people to realise these ambitions.”