Usain Bolt ran in the Commonwealth Games
Is Malaysia the latest potential bidder to tell the Commonwealth Games Federation we are not interested in replacing Durban, South Africa as the host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. It seems Malaysia is dithering with one official saying no while another official is saying we will think about it. Last week, a Toronto city staff report recommended against spending money on the global event because of the ridiculously high public cost of building event venues. Victoria, British Columbia, which is a ferry ride from the state of Washington, might make a bid. Victoria hosted the 1994 Commonwealth Games. Toronto, the communications capital of Canada, is close to the US border which means US TV attention and money might be available. The Commonwealth Games executives wanted some form of government support but Toronto officials were not spending loonies on the Games.
The Commonwealth Games is a sports event that doesn’t receive too much attention in the United States, but it is one of the largest international sports gatherings with 70 countries or dependent territories that were members of the organization once known as the British Commonwealth. In 2015, South Africa was given the right to host the Games because no one else wanted the event. Edmonton, Alberta elected officials and business leaders kicked the tires but decided it was not a good fit for the western Canadian city which was battling slumping oil prices at the time. Durban is just the latest city saying no to a major international sporting events as mega events such as the Olympics, World Cup and the Commonwealth Games are just too expensive as public money is needed to help with costs. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is thinking about a bid. Birmingham, Liverpool in England along with Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne in Australia could be interested in the event. But costs are scaring government officials away.
Money is needed for events
