Alberta, Victoria withdrawals 'devastating blow' for Commonwealth Games

FILE PHOTO: Stormy weather moves over the downtown core of Calgary, Alberta June 22, 2013. REUTERS/Andy Clark/File Photo

(Reuters) - The 2030 Commonwealth Games were tipped to be a glorious celebration of the competition's centenary in Canada, the country which hosted the inaugural edition of the multi-sport quadrennial event a century ago.

But the future of the Games was thrown into doubt on Thursday when the province of Alberta withdrew its support for a bid, dealing another blow to the embattled Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).