Bid chairman Reg Milley has revealed that budget cuts are the reason for Edmonton's withdrawal from the bidding process to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Canadian city had been expected to rival South African entry Durban, but Milley believes that it isn't the right time to progress with their bid when other communities in Canada are being hit by financial problems.

Milley is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "This hasn't been an easy decision. Our team has been working tirelessly these last months to put together an extraordinary bid.

"But at this time it would not be right to move forward with our bid when cuts are being made in our communities to programmes like education and health."

Edmonton are likely to put themselves in the running to host the 2026 Games, potentially rivalling a bid from Cardiff.