ASSEMBLY First Minister Rhodri Morgan poured cold water on ambitious plans for Newport's joint bid for the Commonwealth Games.

As reported in the Argus, Newport council leader Bob Bright announced Newport, Cardiff and Swansea held initial talks about a possible joint bid in 2014.

Newport's £20 million International Sports Village at Spytty, including the South East Wales regional pool and the Wales National Velodrome, could play a huge part in any possible Games.

South Wales East AM William Graham questioned Mr Morgan at the Assembly on the possibilities of a Welsh bid for the Games. Mr Morgan said the lack of a suitable athletics stadium in Wales was a "major obstacle" to any bid.

He said: "You cannot justify building a 50,000-seater stadium just for big-time athletic competitions."

He said that London winning the Olympics in 2012 would have an adverse impact on bringing a similar event to the UK two years later. Councillor Bright said a number of issues would have to be overcome to bring the Games to the three cities.

He said: "The council is supportive of any bid to bring a major event such as the Commonwealth Games to the region and take advantage of the excellent sports facilities that Newport has to offer.

"However, the council also fully appreciates the difficult issues that such a proposal would have to overcome."

Mr Graham is a keen supporter of the plan to bring the Games to Wales, and raised the issue with the Assembly in 2001.

He said he was surprised that the first minister was not more supportive of the plans.

"I was very disappointed. When I first raised the issue in 2001 he said he would set up a task force to look into it but he hasn't.

"We have most of the facilities to do it and we should really go for it."