IT was all smiles yesterday at the end of a visit from the Commonwealth Games evaluation committee, but nothing was given away.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) evaluation committee finished its assessment of the Gold Coast's capability to host the 2018 Games yesterday.

The CGF evaluation committee's honorary secretary Louise Martin was giving little away when she fronted the media after four days behind closed doors assessing the Gold Coast's bid.

“There are some matters that don't need to be known at this stage,” Ms Martin said.

Ms Martin said she was not sure how the Gold Coast had faired in the evaluation until all the information was gathered and the committee had time to discuss it.

“It has been four glori- ous days in one of the world's great destinations,” she said.

Gold Coast City Council mayor Ron Clarke spent time with the committee on Monday.

He said, above all, the Commonwealth Games was not a world games or a regional games, but a friendly games.

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid chief executive officer Mark Peters said the end of the visit from the evalu- ation committee was a “big step” in the process.

He said the next challenge was at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon, when 19 delegates from

Africa would visit.

“This selection process is a marathon with a few short uphill sprints on the way,” Mr Peters said.

“The information from the visit will be put up on the CGF website for every- one to see.

Mr Peters said the visit from the evaluation committee had given the bid organisers, “some things to consider” going forward.