bids, today enters the final straight of a one-horse race to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

The northern England city is the sole candidate from the 51 Commonwealth member nations, which would seem cause for optimism among the Manchester delegates currently enjoying the sunshine in Bermuda where the decision will be annnounced around 12.30 p.m. at the Southampton Princess Hotel.

"The technical delegation which visited Manchester recently was really enthusiastic,'' one official said. "But we are taking no chances.'' If anything, the mood in Manchester was even more cautious.

According to City Councillor Patrick Karney, there is an "air of excitement and trepidation as we wait for the announcement of who is going to host the Games''.

He added: "But whatever the outcome, we want to encourage people to celebrate in a sporting fashion all over the city.'' A successful bid will also provide some consolation for Manchester delegation leader Sir Robert Scott, who headed both the abortive Olympic attempts.

Manchester was eliminated after attracting only five second round votes in its bid for the 1996 Olympics and 11 in the third ballot for the 2000 Games, awarded to Atlanta and Sydney respectively.

The last Commonwealth Games staged in Britain -- in Edinburgh nine years ago -- were a disaster through a combination of boycotts, financial shortfalls and appalling weather.

The world, if not the weather, has changed since 1986 with South Africa now back in the Commonwealth and Scott is confident Manchester can stage a successful Games.

"The Commonwealth today looks a very much more healthy world for us to be in than poor Edinburgh in 1986 when things felt very different indeed,'' Scott said recently.

Manchester's emergence as the sole candidate for 2002 follows decisions by Australia and South Africa not to bid.

Adelaide in South Australia was a possible candidate but Australia decided it would not bid after Sydney was awarded the 2000 Olympics.

South Africa was also considering presenting a candidate but decided to concentrate instead on Cape Town's 2004 Olympic bid.

England, the only country still in contention, then chose Manchester ahead of London and Sheffield.