Posted on July 31: Commonwealth Games bid nears final stretch
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/CWG1.jpg” caption=”Commonwealth Games”]It's the last leg of the race. The finish line is in sight and thousands are waiting anxiously to see who the winner will be.
Hamilton? New Delhi?
Supporters at today's 2010 Commonwealth Games news conference have their money on Hamilton.
“We believe that the Hamilton bid is strong on all fronts, but especially on the technical merits that are the subject of the Commission's specific attention,” said David Adames, general manager of the Hamilton 2010 Commonwealth Games Bid Corporation. “In fact, we welcome their scrutiny. We know that they have discovered our bid's unparalleled public support, the precision of our plans, the readiness of our people and venues, the technical skill of our sport communities, and perhaps most importantly, the enthusiasm our city has for the Commonwealth Games.”
Welcomed by about 250 cheering children taking part in McMaster's summer camp program, members of the Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation Commission (CGF) arrived by bus at McMaster Thursday for the only news conference by the Commonwealth Games evaluation commission. Others in attendance included athletes, representatives from local, provincial and national sports organizations, sports enthusiasts and local and national media.
“For the host city, there are immediate opportunities that transcend the 10 days of competition,” said Michael Hooper, CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation, citing international media attention, as well as economic, social and environmental benefits. “Nothing brings the Commonwealth together more so than the games.”
Nine-year-old Corbin Monaco made his own pitch as to why Hamilton should be chosen. “Hamilton is the best place,” he beamed. “It's a good place to be an athlete and I know athletes from other countries would like it here too.”
The athlete in swimming, karate, ice hockey and soccer hopes he'll be able to compete in the 2010 Games. “If I do my best, maybe I'll be there too.”
The Games, held every four years, involves two weeks of international sport. The first Games were held in Hamilton in 1930, and were called the British Empire Games. The first Games attracted 400 athletes from 11 countries, participating in six sports: track and field, boxing, lawn bowls, rowing, wrestling and swimming and diving. Other Canadian cities to host the Games include Vancouver in 1954, Edmonton in 1978 and Victoria in 1994.
The CGF Evaluation Commission is comprised of six international members of the Commonwealth Games Federation. Delegates are in the Hamilton area for a four-day visit to assess the technical components of the corporation's bid for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
The CGF commission leaves for New Delhi, India Friday to assess Hamilton's only competitor. A decision on a host city will be announced in November.
If Hamilton gets the vote to host the nineteenth Commonwealth Games, it will mean 6,000 athletes and officials from 72 countries around the world and approximately 250,000 visitors and 2,500 media will come to Hamilton. Many of the events will take place on McMaster's 300-acre campus, where the Games Village would be located.
“The Games have a special place in Hamilton's history and hearts,” says Adames, “and we're not afraid to show it by wearing those hearts on our sleeves and telling the Commission that we are passionate in our desire to host the Commonwealth Games in 2010.”
Photo caption: top: David Adames, general manager of the Hamilton 2010 Commonwealth Games Bid Corporation, left, and Roger Trull, vice-president, University Advancement, walk through a sea of red and white before entering the McMaster University Student Centre. Below: Members of the Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation Commission exit a bus and are greeted by cheering supporters of the bid. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay
