Glasgow 2014: The Gambia confirms Games withdrawal
The Queen's Baton Relay will no longer go to The Gambia
Gambian officials have confirmed that the country will not be competing in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Last week, the west African nation branded the 54-member grouping, which includes the UK and most of its former colonies, a "neo-colonial institution".
At the time it was unclear whether it would still be competing in the Games.
However, Games organisers have confirmed The Gambia's withdrawal and said alternative plans would be made for the baton relay.
A spokesman for Glasgow 2014 said: "All Commonwealth nations and territories are entitled to compete in the Commonwealth Games.
"Glasgow 2014 has received confirmation from the Commonwealth Games Federation of the formal withdrawal of The Gambia from the Commonwealth.
"It is our understanding, therefore, that The Gambia does not intend to enter a team and compete in next year's Games."
The spokesman said the Queen's Baton Relay, which visits all nations and territories of the Commonwealth, would no longer go to The Gambia.
"This planning is now under development in collaboration with the Commonwealth Games Federation and we will provide further information in the near future," he said.
Following Gambia's sudden withdrawal last week from the , the country confirmed today they have withdrawn from the -hosted Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place next year.  This leaves 70 countries and territories competing in the Games.
Countries that competed in the 2010 Commonwealth Games 
The country's president  withdrew from the 54-nation Commonwealth with a statement on television Thursday saying, "The general public is hereby informed that the Government of the Gambia has left the Commonwealth of Nations with immediate effect ... The Government has withdrawn its membership of the British Commonwealth and decided that the Gambia will never be a member of any neo-colonial institution and will never be a party to any institution that represents an extension of colonialism."

Yesterday, a spokesperson for the 2014 Games said, "All Commonwealth nations and territories are entitled to compete in the Commonwealth Games. Glasgow 2014 has received confirmation from the Commonwealth Games Federation of the formal withdrawal of The Gambia from the Commonwealth. It is our understanding, therefore, that The Gambia does not intend to enter a team and compete in next year's Games."

Being a member of the Commonwealth is a requirement for participation in the Games, and organizers could not formally withdraw Gambia from the Games until they received confirmation from the .

The organizers are planning to modify the  to remove Gambia.  The relay traditionally involves the baton travelling to all participating countries.

Having participated at every Commonwealth Games since 1970 except the boycotted , the nation has only won one medal, a bronze at the .


== Sources == 
*
*
*
*
*