Caborn note of caution

Richard Caborn, the sports minister, yesterday warned against the dangers being carried away by the success of the Commonwealth Games, insisting that making an Olympic bid on the basis of Manchester 2002 alone would be a mistake.

Caborn said a possible bid by London for the 2012 Olympics had to be judged in terms of cost, the benefits it would bring, and the risks. "The Commonwealth Games have shown that Britain can stage top-class events," he said. No one can any longer doubt our ability to deliver. But to bid for the next event just because the last one was good is a recipe for disaster.

"Let's not get carried away on the emotion. Events have to be assessed on their merits.

"We must never get into the situation we had with the 2005 World Athletics Championships again. The way we avoid it is by doing that rigorous work up front, before any of us commits to stage an event."