T&T no longer interested in hosting 2018 Commonwealth Games

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) has confirmed it is dropping plans to make a bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Last year Trinidad and Tobago announced that it would make a bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) for the 2018 Games but TTOC president Larry Romany now says that's no longer an option.

Romany said the abandoned Caribbean Games, which was scheduled for July 12-19, delivered a huge blow to plans for the Commonwealth event. He said Caribbean Games was expected to be a “litmus test” as to the readiness of the country to make an official Commonwealth bid.

Trinidad and Tobago pulled out of Caribbean Games last month due to concerns about Swine Flu.

“As valid and legitimate as the reason for withdrawing may have been, the international and regional fall out from T&T’s failure to deliver the Games is negative," Romany said, adding that there is no credible way the country could have made a Commonwealth Games bid.

In a news release, Romany said, “It simply would not get the required local, Caribbean and international support. It would have been an exercise in futility, ego and irresponsibility.”

The next 2010 Commonwealth Games are being held in India and Scotland will host the 2014 Games.