Following London 2012 there has been much talk about a 2022 bid from London which, if successful, would mark the first Commonwealth Games to be held in the city since 1934.

Reports circulated yesterday that London was preparing to abandon its bid plans as a consequence of the financial costs, expected to total £1 billion ($1.6 billion/€1.2 billion).

The report has been denied by the Mayor's office who emphasised that control over the bid lies out of their hands.

"We have never done anything other than consider the implications of the bid, the real control over the bidding process lies with Commonwealth Games England (CGE)," a spokesman told insidethegames.

"It is not our position to bid so it is not our position to withdraw.

"CGE would only go ahead if there was financial support from both London and Central Government, as there was before London 2012.

"Several things need to be overcome before a decision can be made but nothing has changed at the moment."

The Office of Mayor of London Boris Johnson, pictured on a recent visit to Shanghai, has denied losing enthusiasm for hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games


In order to capitalise on the facilities in place following London 2012 much interest was voiced about a potential London bid earlier this year.

Culture Secretary Maria Miller, then-Sports Minister Hugh Robertson and Sport England chief executive Jennie Price all publicly backed the idea, while Johnson admitted in May that "it would be a great thing if the Commonwealth Games came to this city in 2022."

Yet no bid has been officially launched and reports yesterday suggested that this enthusiasm of early summer has now dimmed. 

A source within City Hall told BBC London that they though it "very unlikely that London will bid now" as "the cost of securing so many venues is very high".

London could instead be hoping to bid more for individual events, in addition to the 2016 World Track Cycling Championships and the 2017 World Athletics Championships which have been already secured.

Commonwealth Games England declined to comment following this latest development. 

The London Olympic Stadium, undergoing building work following the Games, will host the 2017 World Athletics Championships and would form a central component of any 2022 bid


Gideon Sam, President of the South African Sports and Olympic body (SASCOC), has, meanwhile, reiterated the fact that South Africa is interested in bidding for the Games, although they first need the support of the country's Government. 

"We need to put up our hand now and begin to make the noise if we do want to bid," he said.

"But the process people must understand is that it goes through sport and recreation and we have to put the documentation together, which will then go to Cabinet.

"Once Cabinet has said yes, we will then start an internal process to identify the city that would like to host on behalf of the country." 

Sam was speaking in Durban, the city deemed most likely to be chosen, and he added the Commonwealth Games is a major event in itself, but was also seen as good preparation for countries hoping to host the Olympics later.

Singapore and the Sri Lankan city of Hambantota, which narrowly lost out in the race to host the 2018 Games, may also bid.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) have said that they "would not invite expressions of interest to holding the event until next year, with bids being put forward in 2015."