November 5 - Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has admitted that the vote next week to decide whether the Gold Coast or Hambantota hosts the 2018 Commonwealth Games is on a knife-edge.
Bligh will lead the Australian delegation to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis, where 71 countries will vote.
The Gold Coast have been the favourites since started last year but Hambantota have run an impressive campaign.
''We're at the nail-biting end of this bid and it's a very nerve-racking time,'' said Bligh.
''I'm confident that what the Gold Coast will offer the Commonwealth Games is a world-class bid and a world-class sporting event.
''But you always go into these votes knowing that you can win or lose them, so we'll be putting every effort next week into every single voting delegate.''
The full Gold Coast team are due to arrive in the Caribbean on Tuesday (November 8).
''A successful Coast Commonwealth Games tilt could only further boost our reputation as the world's pre-eminent year-round elite training location and reinforce our tourism reputation,'' said Bligh.
"We know that Queenslanders got behind the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.
"I know that if we're successful this week, they'll get behind the 2018 Commonwealth Games on our beautiful Gold Coast."
By Duncan Mackay
Source: www.insidethegames.biz