In an hour long presentation to dignitaries, including Commonwealth secretary general Kamalesh Sharma and Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Prince Imran, officials sought to emphasise the benefits of a first major multi-sport event on African soil.

They also repeatedly insisted the bid was fully backed at all levels by the South African Government, with the country's Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula among those in attendance, as well as Durban Mayor James Nxumalo.

Coming less than a month after the 2022 race was blown open by the shock withdrawal of Edmonton, with the Canadian city initially seen as the outstanding favourite before deciding to refocus on the 2026 race due to the fall in global oil prices, the apparent organisation and determination of Durban's bid will come as something of a relief to CGF officials. 

Compactness was presented as a core concept today, with 80 per cent of the projected venues to be placed within a 2.5 kilometres radius of the Moses Mabhida Stadium, where both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as athletics competition, would take place.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium, used during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, will form the centrepiece of a Durban 2022 Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images



The bid, believed to currently have a total budget of around R6 billion ZAR (£332.5 million/$511.7 million/€456.4 million), will also continue a theme currently being seen in the Olympic Movement by taking advantage largely of pre-existing facilities.

This includes the mountain-bike venue in Pietermaritzburg, 80 kilometres from Durban, where the 2013 World Championships were held.

Among new venues would be the Athletes' Village, part of a new development complex that would see buildings redeveloped into family housing after the Games, the same model pioneered by Glasgow 2014. 

This aim of using the event to benefit the city as well as the wider continent was reiterated throughout the presentation, with Durban described as the "soul of Africa" and a "perfect city to host the Games".

A traditional African vibe was another central theme, with the presentation starting and ending with an energetic and vibrant musical performance, while the Opening Ceremony would also take place on July 18, birthdate of Nelson Mandela and now celebrated across the world. 

Traditional dancers perform during Durban's presentation to launch its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games at Mansion House in London ©Getty Images



Yet, many questions still remain about Durban's bid, particularly given the climate of economic unease and social unrest across the nation, and in the city itself, where crime and poverty levels remain high.

The specifics and execution of the bid was also mentioned fairly infrequently today, although answers to many of these issues will be found in the 600-page Bid Book presented to Prince Imran at the conclusion of proceedings.

Although Durban is the only bidder - and officials repeatedly insisted that no alternative cities would be considered - a full bidding procedure will now take place before a final decision is due to be made at the CGF General Assembly in Auckland on September 2.

This will start with April's inspection by the CGF Evaluation Commission, led by the body's honorary secretary Louise Martin.

Officials, including CGF chief executive David Grevemburg, also claimed having only one bidder is an opportunity as well as a problem, as it will allow them to work with the Bid Committee over the next six months in order to produce the best product.

Manchester and Melbourne were both unopposed in the respective races for the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games, each producing outstanding events. 

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