On the Scene in St. Kitts - 2018 Commonwealth Games Vote Ahead

(ATR) Leaders of the 2014 Commonwealth Games tell Around the Rings the bid race won four years ago by Glasgow is "very similar" to the one between Gold Coast and Hambantota coming to a close today in St. Kitts.

Last time around, Scotland's biggest city beat out Abuja, Nigeria by a margin of 47 to 24. That vote actually took place in Sri Lanka, home to 2018 bidder Hambantota.

"I suppose Scotland was looking at Nigeria and saying we've got existing venues so a lower risk," says Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Robert Smith.

"Abuja had to build quite a lot of venues, but they had the government money behind them."

Gold Coast, Australia is akin to Glasgow in Smith's analogy of sorts.

Hambantota, on the other hand, now offers the powerful storyline, emerging market and strong guarantees – but lack of existing infrastructure – pitched four years ago by Abuja.

Despite having the upper hand in the experience category and ultimately winning by a healthy margin, Smith says the Scottish bid never took anything for granted.

"I don't think we were entirely confident," he says, "but you could see the outburst of excitement when we got the Games."

Asked to handicap the 2018 race, Glasgow 2014 CEO David Grevemberg says only that Gold Coast and Hambantota are very different bids.

"I wouldn't say one is better than the other. They fill different ambitions, and it's really up to the CGF membership to decide philosophically and practically what is the best way forward," he tells ATR.

"I'm quite impressed with both cities and their commitment and desire to win these Games, and I can understand why, being at the helm of the organizing committee that will precede them."

Decision Day

This time around, neither the Aussies nor the Sri Lankans are labeling themselves the favorites for 2018.

The common consensus seems to be that Gold Coast spent the bulk of the campaign period out in front but that Hambantota is quickly gathering steam, especially on the ground in St. Kitts.

Whether the last-minute surge proves enough will become apparent at 6 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time.

"The delegates will have to determine if Sri Lanka can meet the promise of the construction of an entire sports complex by 2018 with the memories of New Delhi hanging over the delegates," Barbodos Olympic Association president Steve Stoute tells ATR.

"Australia has been quick to point out that they’re making no comparison, but the CWG brand needs improvement after Delhi."

Asked for his prediction ahead of today's vote, Stoute says the Commonwealth Games Federation is particularly hard to get a feel for given the scope of its 71 member nations.

"We're split into many more regions than say the Pan Ams," he explains.

"I have only been able to associate with the Caribbean delegates, and I think the feelings are mixed."

Regardless of the outcome, CGF president Michael Fennell suggests his colleagues can't lose in picking between Hambantota and Gold Coast.

"We’ve had a very exciting time with the bid process and the activities of the two bid cities because they really raised the awareness of the Commonwealth Games," he tells ATR.

After nearly two decades atop the CGF, the Jamaican will hand over the reigns today to Prince Tunku Imran of Malaysia in the General Assembly's other top order of business.

There's just the one candidate for president, but Ian Emmerson of England, Kip Keino of Kenya, Bruce Robertson of Canada and Gideon Sam of South Africa will all stand for two VP spots. Only the Caribbean, Europe and Oceania will see competition for regional VPs

Also on the agenda, the CGF closes the books on Delhi 2010, triathlon's mixed relay event makes its case for CWG inclusion, organizers of the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa deliver a progress report and Grevemberg presents to the General Assembly in his first major appearance since taking charge of Glasgow 2014 earlier this year.

Final presentations from Hambantota and Gold Coast are last on the list before the 2018 vote.

A formal announcement and signing of the host city contract will follow the casting of ballots.

"It’s always exciting when we’re starting to find out where Games are going to take place," says Scott Stevenson, director of sport for Commonwealth Games Canada.

"We’re confident that with the group that’s making these decisions and with the work that the CGF has done in making sure that all the information goes out there, the right decision will be taken."

Written and reported in St. Kitts by Matthew Grayson.

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