[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/cw2010DN.jpg” caption=”Commonwealth Games logo”]As minutes tick down to the long awaited decision of who will host the 2010 Commonwealth Games, anticipation is high.

Members of the community are invited to a hometown celebration' on Thursday, Nov. 13, when Commonwealth Games delegates will reveal live from Jamaica who will host the Games  Hamilton or New Delhi. The announcement will take place following a final 30-minute presentation by the Hamilton bid team.

Nearly 10,000 spectators are expected to attend the announcement at Copps Coliseum in downtown Hamilton. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., and the estimated time of announcement is 5:30 p.m.

“There is a lot of anticipation leading up to this announcement,” says vice-president university advancement Roger Trull, who admits he has had a few sleepless nights leading up to this momentous event. As the team leader, Trull will be in Jamaica next week to hear the announcement.

He says win or lose, the benefit to McMaster will be enormous. “Even if the bid fails, the connections McMaster has made and the spirit that arose out of the bid is incredible.”

McMaster President Peter George, who is also traveling to Montego Bay, Jamaica for the announcement, says regardless of the decision, this is a win-win situation.

“I'm tremendously excited about the possibilities if we do get the Games,” he says, “but even if we are not successful, this as a win-win situation. We have created so many partnerships with this bid that will continue to be valuable regardless of the decision outcome.”
The first 1,000 youth to show up at the arena on Nov. 13 will receive a free Hamilton 2010 souvenir, hot dog or pizza and drink. Participants are encouraged to show their pride and wear red and white.

The Commonwealth Games are held every four years and involves two weeks of international sport. The Commonwealth is made up of 72 countries and territories representing six regions – Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Oceania.

In 1930, Hamilton hosted the first Games, then called the British Empire Games. If successful, this will be the fifth time that Canada has hosted the Games and the first time for India. The 2010 Games will take place July 15 to July 25 if Hamilton is chosen.