The two candidates to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games submitted their bid books at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Gold Coast in Australia and the Sri Lankan city of Hambantota are vying for the right to host the Commonwealth Games in 2018, with a final decision to be made November 11th in St Kitts and Nevis.
Australia is looking to host the event for a fifth time, while Sri Lanka will be attempting to land its first Commonwealth Games.
Gold Coast Australia and the Sri Lankan city of Hambantota are bidding to land the Games and both presented their bids at a ceremony in the Malaysian capital presided over by Commonwealth Games Federation vice president Tunku Tan Sri Imran ibni Tuanku Jaafar.
Gold Coast led off with a video presentation, then local schoolgirl Eve Lutze took to the stage - along with Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and Gold Coast mayor Ron Clarke - to present the 240-page bid book.
Australia have hosted five Commonwealth Games, but this is the first time Gold Coast has bid for the event and the city is confident it has what it takes to win.
"Today, we passed a big milestone with the bid books being lodged and the race is now really on. It's clear from today's presentations it's going to be a tough race and a tough competition. But we love a challenge and I'm looking forward to it,” says the Ms Bligh.
"Australians love their sport and we're passionate about events like this. Gold Coast is well equipped to run a great Commonwealth Games, but more than anything I think the Gold Coast offers a bit of sizzle. It's a very exciting city."
The city of Hambantota, which was one of the venues for this year's ICC Cricket World Cup, was a late inclusion as a candidate for the 2018 Games.
Sri Lanka has never hosted a Commonwealth Games, something Hambantota bid officials hope will be a positive in the eyes of the voters.
"We have seen in the entirety of the Commonwealth Games history only about six countries have so far been able to host the Games, out of about 71 countries. So Sri Lanka is one more coming in, and maybe it will also inspire others to come in and say we also are ready to host games of this nature,” says Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Hambantota 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid Co-Chairman.
The final decision to determine the 2018 Commonwealth Games host city will take place on November 11th on the Caribbean island nation of St Kitts and Nevis.