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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth bid city pulls out | Commonwealth bid city pulls out |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| One of Glasgow's rivals to host the 2014 Commowealth Games has pulled out of the race. | One of Glasgow's rivals to host the 2014 Commowealth Games has pulled out of the race. |
| The Canadian city of Halifax and the province of Nova Scotia withdrew support from the bid due to concerns over a projected $1.7bn budget. | The Canadian city of Halifax and the province of Nova Scotia withdrew support from the bid due to concerns over a projected $1.7bn budget. |
| The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) confirmed that Halifax had withdrawn from the bidding process as a result. | The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) confirmed that Halifax had withdrawn from the bidding process as a result. |
| The move leaves Glasgow and Abuja in Nigeria in the race. The winner will be announced in November. | The move leaves Glasgow and Abuja in Nigeria in the race. The winner will be announced in November. |
| Halifax announced its bid in March 2006. | Halifax announced its bid in March 2006. |
| We will not jeopardise our fiscal position Peter KellyMayor of Halifax | We will not jeopardise our fiscal position Peter KellyMayor of Halifax |
| However, reviews of the operating and capital costs revealed that the bid's budget had reached nearly $1.7bn - almost $1bn more than originally expected. | However, reviews of the operating and capital costs revealed that the bid's budget had reached nearly $1.7bn - almost $1bn more than originally expected. |
| In a statement, Barry Barnet, minister of health promotion and protection, said: "We have said from the beginning that we would only support a bid that does not compromise the province's fiscal position, is the right size for Nova Scotia and leaves a lasting legacy for residents. | In a statement, Barry Barnet, minister of health promotion and protection, said: "We have said from the beginning that we would only support a bid that does not compromise the province's fiscal position, is the right size for Nova Scotia and leaves a lasting legacy for residents. |
| "I am personally extremely disappointed with this outcome but the results of the independent assessments and our own due diligence process are clear. | "I am personally extremely disappointed with this outcome but the results of the independent assessments and our own due diligence process are clear. |
| "The risks associated with pursuing the Games are simply too high." | "The risks associated with pursuing the Games are simply too high." |
| Consultants analysed the potential legacy of a successful bid, as well as value for money, projected revenue and economic impact. | Consultants analysed the potential legacy of a successful bid, as well as value for money, projected revenue and economic impact. |
| 'Significant risks' | 'Significant risks' |
| Their report found "a number of significant risks" of hosting the event, including a higher than anticipated need for public funding and insufficient contingency funding. | Their report found "a number of significant risks" of hosting the event, including a higher than anticipated need for public funding and insufficient contingency funding. |
| The statement said this could "leave the provincial government vulnerable in the event of cost over-runs". | The statement said this could "leave the provincial government vulnerable in the event of cost over-runs". |
| The mayor of Halifax, Peter Kelly, said: "Our commitment has always been to the taxpayers of this municipality. | The mayor of Halifax, Peter Kelly, said: "Our commitment has always been to the taxpayers of this municipality. |
| It's deeply disappointing for the people of Canada Michael CooperCommonwealth Games Federation | It's deeply disappointing for the people of Canada Michael CooperCommonwealth Games Federation |
| "We were hopeful we would be in a position to support the games but, given the concerns raised through the consultants' reports, we cannot support going forward. | "We were hopeful we would be in a position to support the games but, given the concerns raised through the consultants' reports, we cannot support going forward. |
| "We will not jeopardise our fiscal position." | "We will not jeopardise our fiscal position." |
| Michael Cooper, chief executive officer of the CGF, said Dr Andrew Pipe, president of Commonwealth Games Canada, had called him to withdraw from the race. | Michael Cooper, chief executive officer of the CGF, said Dr Andrew Pipe, president of Commonwealth Games Canada, had called him to withdraw from the race. |
| "He formally notified me that as a consequence of the withdrawal of support by both the province and municipality, Halifax are out of the bid," he said. | "He formally notified me that as a consequence of the withdrawal of support by both the province and municipality, Halifax are out of the bid," he said. |
| "He said he was astonished at the decision. It's deeply disappointing for the people of Canada. | "He said he was astonished at the decision. It's deeply disappointing for the people of Canada. |
| "That leaves Glasgow and Abuja in the running and we wish the very best to those countries and cities." | "That leaves Glasgow and Abuja in the running and we wish the very best to those countries and cities." |
| Bid message | |
| Stewart Maxwell, SNP sport, culture and media spokesman, said: "We believe that Glasgow would have beaten both the other cities who were bidding. | |
| "However, it's now a two-horse race and Glasgow is the firm favourite. The SNP will be backing Scotland's bid all the way as the games are a huge opportunity which will be good for Glasgow and good for Scotland." | |
| Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dr Lesley Sawers said the news took Glasgow one step closer to securing the Games. | |
| She added: "We must not be complacent and must continue to focus on convincing the committee members who will come to the city over the summer that we should be chosen. | |
| "The Games can make a difference to the lives of everyone in the city and throughout Scotland, and the business community will continue to help spread the bid message." |