Mark Stockwell, the chairman of Gold Coast 2018, insisted that holding the event in Australia would help establish the Games as a major event on the sporting calendar.

"The Gold Coast City is a young multi-cultural City that welcomes 11 million tourists a year to enjoy its beaches, hinterland, theme parks and many major events - it is the ideal location to attract the Commonwealth's best athletes as well as those aspiring to be the best in the Commonwealth" he said.

"A 2018 Games on the Gold Coast will see infrastructure development, stimulation and diversification of the economy, it will be an inspiration to the next generation and fulfil the City's long term development strategy to position it as a major regional City.

"More importantly, for the future development of the Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast City's location with its facilities, event expertise, and multi-cultural population will encourage high levels of attendance from athletes, media, corporate, and spectators.

"This will reinforce the position of the Games as an ongoing major international event."

The Gold Coast are locked in a close struggle with Hambantota, its Sri Lankan rival who are pitching their campaign ahead of the vote in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11 as an opportunity for the Games to help in nation building.

The Commonwealth Games Federation's (CGF) Evaluation Commission, in its positive assessment, confirmed Gold Coast City as a low risk in delivering an excellent Games, commenting that "the opportunity to develop a transferable Regional Games Hosting Model is an important strategic development for the Commonwealth Games."

An advance team from the Gold Coast has already left for St Kitts and Nevis to prepare for the final presentation and vote at the CGF General Assembly.

"We were buoyed by the Games Commission's positive report and  are going to the Caribbean feeling confident - and nervous,'' said Mark Peters, the Gold Coast 2018 chief executive.

"This visit will be like a sporting grand final and we will keep fighting hard until the  siren sounds.''

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