Revamped MCG the hub for Melbourne Games

Melbourne proudly claims to be the sporting capital of the world. And for good reason.

The city which staged the 1956 Olympic Games, and can count the Australian Open tennis tournament and a round of the Formula One motor-racing series among its successes, will host the 18th Commonwealth Games from March 15 to 26.

Australian cities have already held three Commonwealth Games, in Sydney in 1938, Perth in 1962 and Brisbane in 1982.

But next year's promises to be by far the biggest and best yet. The venues are magnificent.

The opening and closing ceremonies and the track and field events will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The McG, which is only a 10-minute walk from the central business district, will have a capacity of 84,000 for the Games.

Work is still being carried out on one part of the stadium, but there are guarantees it will be ready well before the Games open.

The only other venue not yet finished is the swimming centre, which will have a spectator capacity of 10,000.

The Pacific Schools Games are scheduled to be held there later in the year, followed by the Victorian championships and the national championships, which double as the Commonwealth Games trials.

The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, as it is known, is only 10 minutes by car or bus from central Melbourne.

The rugby sevens will be played at the Telstra Dome, which is again within walking distance of the central city.

New Zealanders will be familiar with the Telstra Dome as the All Blacks and the Black Caps have played many internationals there.

The New Zealand sevens team will be defending their Games title at the Dome, which can be covered and has a capacity of around 60,000.

Netball is another Games sport where we can expect to challenge for a gold medal.

The preliminary matches will be played at the State Netball and Hockey Centre, with the semifinals and final at the Rod Laver Arena, the centre court for the Australian Open tennis. This is also in the heart of the city.

New Zealand will have a team of about 300 at the Games and they will have the best of accommodation.

The Games village is only a 10-minute bus ride from most of the major venues and from downtown Melbourne.

The homes, under construction, are valued at $1 million and more. They will each house up to 24 athletes, with no more than two to a bedroom.

Already 50 of the 115 homes have been sold to the public, who will move in soon after the Games finish.