But now the Mayor of the Gold Coast, former world six miles record holder Ron Clarke, has claimed that a new land deal could revive the bid.

 

The council have agreed to take over the land on which the Southport Swimming Pool is built in exchange for Carrara Stadium.

 

The deal helped the city secure an AFL licence and Clarke says owning the pool land is a bonus.

 

He said: "It'll make it easier certainly to do the bid if we do go ahead with it.

 

"We're currently waiting because the Federal Government have also mentioned that they won't be making any contribution towards it.

 

"They're concentrating on the 2018 World Cup bid.

 

"We're waiting for the Queensland Government to negotiate with them to see that if they'll also support the Commonwealth Games bid."

 

Abuja, the Nigerian capital that lost out on the chance to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow, has already declared its intention to bid for 2018 while candidates are also expected to emerge from Durban, Nairobi and New Zealand.

 

A decision is due in 2011.

 

Australia last staged the Commonwealth Games at Melbourne in 2006.