Durban, South Africa, Will Not Host 2022 Commonwealth Games

The 2022 Commonwealth Games "will no longer be held in Durban, South Africa," according to the BBC. Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg said that the city "did not meet the criteria" set by his organization, "and the search for a new host city had already begun." Durban was awarded the Games in Sept. '15 and was "due to be the first African city to host the event." Liverpool and Birmingham "have expressed interest in staging the 2022 edition." Last month, South Africa Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula indicated Durban "may not be able to host the 2022 event because of financial constraints." Mbalula: "We gave it our best shot but we can't go beyond. If the country says we don't have this money, we can't." Grevemberg said that the South African government "never signed off on the decision for Durban to host the Games." Grevemberg added, "We have a host city contract. It was signed by all parties on the day except for the South African government" (BBC, 3/13).