By Duncan Mackay

Edmonton 2022 has launched its bid logo and appointed a chairman for its Commonwealth Games bid ©Edmonton 2022 Edmonton today appointed Reg Milley as the chairman of its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games at a special ceremony where it also unveiled its official campaign logo. 


Milley, the former President and chief executive of Edmonton Airports, and the logo were introduced at an event held at Edmonton City Hall which coincided with the Canada Day celebrations. 

Edmonton is considered the underdog in the two-city race with South African city Durban seen as the clear favourite. 

But Milley pointed to Canada's Commonwealth Games history as a reason for confidence, including Edmonton hosting the event in 1978 when 46 countries sent a total of 1,474 athletes and 504 officials.

"Canada hosted the first Games in 1930 so what better way to celebrate Canada Day than to announce the next steps in our efforts to bring the Games home to Canada in 2022," he said.

"Edmonton set a new standard for the Commonwealth Games in 1978.

"We are excited by the prospect of hosting this event again and helping to take the Games to a new level."

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson (right) launched the city's logo for its 2022 Commonwealth Games bid, along with chairman Reg Milley ©City of EdmontonEdmonton Mayor Don Iveson (right) launched the city's logo for its 2022 Commonwealth Games bid, along with chairman Reg Milley ©City of Edmonton

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson revealed they hoped to rely on the city's reputation as an "outstanding host city" during the bid which, it is estimated, will cost up to CAD$7 million (£4 million/$6.5 million/€5 million), with the promise of funding from the Alberta Government. 

"Our bid effort, in partnership with the Alberta Government, is focused on convincing Commonwealth Games voters that Edmonton is the best host city in 2022," he said.

Along with Milley, the rest of the Bid Committee was also revealed, including Simon Farbrother, Edmonton's city manager, as the vice-chairman. 

Seven vice-presidents have also been appointed.

They include Bruce Robertson, the vice-president of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and chair of the CGF Coordination Commission for Glasgow 2014, and Andrew Pipe, President of Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC).

The other vice-presidents include Candice Stasynec, executive director for Edmonton Events; Maggie Davison, vice-president of Edmonton Tourism; and John Stanton, a best-selling author and founder of the Running Room - North America's largest specialty retailer of running and walking footwear, apparel, accessories, electronics and nutritional products.

They are completed by Lloyd Bentz, chief executive of the Alberta Sport Connection, and Linda Cuthbert, a gold medallist in diving at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton and now vice-president of CGC.

The city's bid must be submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation by March 2, 2015.

The host city is due to be selected on September 2 of that year at the CGF Annual Meeting in Auckland. 

The logo was designed by Alberta-based ZGM Collaborative Marketing.

It resembles an "E" with different colour strips symbolising "the pride for our national identity, our spirit of community and the energy of sports," Iveson told a large crowd gathered at City Hall.

The colours are meant to show the richness of nationalities that call Edmonton home and the harmony of Commonwealth nations coming together to compete, he added.

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