Birmingham ONLY city to submit 2022 Commonwealth Games bid

Birmingham is the only city to have submitted a bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, according to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

The Canadian city of Victoria and Malaysian city of Kuala Lumpur, along with a possible Australian entry, were expected as potential bidders but nothing had materialised ahead of the deadline on Saturday 30th September.

Birmingham was chosen as Britain’s candidate city after beating Liverpool earlier last month. The CGF will now review the bid to check it “meets the requirements of successfully hosting” the event, the cost of which is estimated to be at least £750m, the most expensive sports event in Britain since the London 2012 Olympics.

David Grevemberg, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “There have also been continued expressions of interest and support from Canada, Malaysia and Australia.”

But some supporters of the Birmingham 2022 bid questioned the purpose of having a deadline if possible extensions are permitted after the official closing date.According to the CGF, the final decision on the host city “is expected by the end of the year”.

If Birmingham is indeed the only city in the running, what are its chances? Some has suggested it’s a 50/50 ‘yes’ or ‘no’ result, which depends on overall suitability, while others have joked it would still lose, even without competition. Ouch!