Gold Coast Commonwealth Games bid under scrutiny

Member of a Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Evaluation Commission members are midway through a four-day assessment period of the Gold Coast's suitability as host for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The Evaluation Commission, who are visiting venues such as Skilled Park, Metricon Stadium and the Gold Coast Convention Centre, will write a report advising voting delegates about the technical aspects of the bid, which will be posted by 10th October on the Commonwealth Games Federation website.

By comparison, the bid by Sri Lankan city Hambantota for the Games has been described as "virtual" by members of the Evaluation Commission, who admit the Gold Coast's rival for the event can only be assessed on paper.

CGF Chief Executive Mike Hooper revealed the Evaluation Commission would only travel to Hambantota for one day because just one venue has been built.

Hooper explained "we will be in Colombo for the briefings (and) we will fly across and spend a full day there (in Hambantota) to get an idea about their proposal."

Evaluation Commission Chair Louise Martin said the Hambantota bid would have to be assessed as a "virtual bid", adding "the Gold Coast bid and the Hambantota bid are two very different bids."

Martin added that there was little built at Glasgow when she was given the task of heading up the Scottish city's bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which was successful.

Hambantota plans to build a mini sports city if it is awarded the event, with a string of venues and accommodation and support facilities all constructed close to each other.

The Evaluation Comission will leave the Gold Coast at the end of the week and head to Sri Lanka after a two-day stop over at Singapore.

The announcement of the winning bid city will be made on 11th November.

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