An English bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games "emerged as the clear favourite after a rival campaign" by Toronto was "hit by concerns over the cost." Liverpool and Birmingham are both bidding to host the event after Durban, South Africa, was stripped of the Games over "lack of financial guarantees." Toronto had been seen as the "biggest challenger to an English bid" but a report from the city's economic committee advised against it citing "major risks and constraints" and saying that "simply bidding would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars it cannot afford" (LONDON TIMES, 5/30).
The 2019 Tour de France Grand Depart will "take place in Brussels to mark the 50th anniversary of five-time champion Eddy Merckx's first title." Belgian cyclist Merckx, 71, won six stages on his way to the '69 title and holds the record for the most Tour de France stage wins, with 34. He said, "I'm very emotional, I hope I'll still be alive" (BBC, 5/30).
The 2017 Derby at Epsom will be the "richest race ever staged in Britain" after two horses were added as late entries at a cost of £85,000 ($109,300) each. The addition of Permian, who was "successful" in the Dante Stakes at York, and last week's Goodwood winner, Khalidi, means the total purse for the Classic on June 3 will be £1.625M ($2.09M) (BBC, 5/30).
The Int'l Cricket Council partnered with Intel on a series of technological innovations to be launched during the Champions Trophy, which will begin in the U.K. on June 1. The technology being introduced at the ICC Champions Trophy includes an Intel drone that will provide advanced pitch analysis, a bat sensor powered by an Intel Curie module that will allow for profiling of the swing and a VR experience for fans at the stadium (ICC).
New professional cycling event The Hammer Series will have its inaugural race in Limburg, Netherlands, from Friday through Sunday. Infront Sports & Media, in partnership with Velon, announced the growth of the series in '18 with a second location in Stavanger, Norway (Infront).
Six clubs from Greece and Italy renewed their commitment to the Basketball Champions League by signing for the '17-18 season. Umana Reyer Venezia, Sidigas Avellino and Dinamo Sassari of Italy's Serie A and the Greek Basket League's AEK, Aris and PAOK will be among the 24 teams to receive direct access to the group stage (BCL).
