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Canada, Malaysia to bid for 2022 Commonwealth Games

Canada and Malaysia have joined the bidding process along with Australia and England to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Bidding open again after Durban, South Africa stripped

Kelly Russell, pictured during the 2016 Olympics, dives for a try against Britain. Women's Rugby 7s will make its debut at the Games in Australia in 2018. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Canada and Malaysia have joined the bidding process along with Australia and England to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

Earlier this year, the city of Durban, South Africa was stripped of the Games because the government could not provide financial guarantees as well as other commitments it made two years ago when it won the bid. 

The Commontwealth Games Federation (CGF) had set Friday as the deadline for countries to submit a bid following the decision to take the event out of Durban. 

"I am pleased to say the Canadian Government has submitted to CGF its interest to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games," Commonwealth Games Canada chief executive Brian McPherson told insidethegames in a release on Friday.

"This allows CGC to continue working with Provincial and local Governments over the next six to eight weeks to develop a Canadian bid," he explained. 

The English cities of Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester have expressed interest in hosting the Games. London has reportedly hinted at interest as well. 

The Australian Commonwealth Games Association has said it will choose a host city between Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne or Perth.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was the first Asian city to host the Games in 1998. The event was widely considered to be one of the best in the history of the Commonwealth Games. 

The 2018 Commonwealth Games will be held on the Gold Coast in Australia. Over 6,600 athletes and team officials from 70 nations are expected to compete in the 11-day event starting on April 4, 2018.