FIVE hundred days seems like a long time. Dave Grevemberg and Louise Martin, the chief executive and president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, know from experience that it isn't.

It is exactly 500 days today until the opening ceremony for the 21st Commonwealth Games gets under way in the Gold Coast, Australia. These two Glasgow 2014 veterans, who have ascended to global roles, are charged with ensuring the momentum generated by the organisation in the West of Scotland in the summer of 2014 continues Down Under.

Martin, former the chair of funding body sportscotland, is a Scot and Grevemberg an honorary one, a native of New Orleans who still commutes each weekend from London to the family home in Balfron, Stirlingshire. The pair jet out to the other side of the world for their latest fact-finding mission this week and the good news is that all the usual scare stories about funding issues and games venues being behind schedule are conspicuous by their absence when it comes to the fifth such games to be held on Australian soil.

Instead they all surround the games after these ones. Despite being given the green light for the first ever African games some 13 months ago, the organisers of Durban 2022 have been told to provide certain guarantees by a deadline of November 30 to convince the Commonwealth Games Federation that they can deliver. Grevemberg jokes about the notion that Glasgow might step into the breach at the 11th hour and invite everyone back over to ours again. But this will be no laughing matter if the problems prove insurmountable.

"Coming back to Glasgow again?" said Grevemberg. "The facilities there are certainly strong - Glasgow is a strong sporting capital. But at this point our official line is that we are focused on Durban. That is where our priority is. The general assembly made a really clear point which is worth repeating, that a games in Africa, for Africa, is really, really important.

"That decision was unanimously supported by our members and our executive board has been empowered to work through this with the South African government," he added. "But if a solution cannot be found and so forth then we are empowered to go out there and search for an alternative host. There is a confidence within the movement and a real priority within the movement to have a games in Africa but there is also the recognition that we need a games in 2022."

Martin is at pains to point out that the issues afflicting Durban are not indicative of any lack of appetite on behalf of major cities around the world to put their hands up for hosting the four-year Commonwealth party. A couple of English cities are already thought to be interested for 2026, with a bid based around Christchurch also thought to be close, at least until a second earthquake in recent times rocked the South Island of New Zealand. On the subject of natural disasters, the Bahamas, where next year's Commonwealth Youth Games will be held, also faces a race against time after being damaged by Hurricane Matthew.

"There are issues with Durban but they are not insurmountable and believe it or not we do have cities queuing up for 2026," he said. "What we are trying to do is not go down the route of giganticism. We are trying to keep it so it is affordable and deliverable."

While issues such as Brexit and Scottish independence swirl around, they could actually see a renewal of focus on behalf of the UK government for the Commonwealth, as they chase free trade deals with emerging African markets. The American feels Glasgow is the new template for what a games can achieve, and can act as a stimulus for an economy in troubled times.

"We have recently moved into what is called the Commonwealth hub," said Grevemberg, "where we are working closely with the 33 sports ministers of the other commonwealth countries, the secretariat and other bodies. it will be interesting to see what other opportunities emerge due to Brexit.

"It is not just how much commercial rights can we sell it is about how much positive influence can we leave on the communities that we touch," he said. "The way we measure success is by building sustainable peaceful, prosperous communities. This is not just jargon. Delivering on this in Glasgow helped us articulate that narrative much more clearly.

"What we are doing is making sure that Durban is the right place, with the right people, right time to deliver on that promise," he added. "If these events are done right, they are a stimulus package which can help you weather the storm. Talk to the guys at Glasgow City Council and they will tell you that without the games, austerity would have meant a very different Glasgow. It helped weather the storm, kept them focused, gave them a broader perspective on things."

To illustrate the point, it was only months after being awarded the bid in November 2007 in Colombo that the global financial crisis came along. Budgets had to be reassessed, while viewers from outside would hardly have noticed a change of government from Labour to SNP just months out from the event. "There was spectre of austerity and public sector cutbacks while after Delhi people questioned the relevance of the games and the relevance of the Commonwealth. You had such high expectations around London 2012 and the Olympics, a game which would rival all other games, and could Glasgow live up to that.

"But I honestly think it exceeded all of our expectations but it was because of the sincerity that was exuded by all the people and all of the partnerships involved. The opening ceremony was the moment for me. Just to see that solidarity and the fact the weather was just glorious. it had the seriousness and also the cheek. The Mandela moment, when we raised £6m for children. When I get down, I go back and look at that."

In addition to showcasing beach volleyball for the first time, and parity between the men's and women's programmes, the legacy and outreach aspect of the Gold Coast includes some long-needed reconciliation with the indigenous Aboriginal population. Usain Bolt might not make it that far but a new generation of stars, including South African world 400m record holder Wade van Niekerk, will emerge.

Martin said: "As far as I am concerned it will be completely different," said Martin. "Theirs will be a beach games on the beach front. For where they are at this moment, there are no major hiccups, no major issues which would d set alarm bells ringing."

"The inclusion of beach volleyball for the first time and seven new events gives them equity between men and women for the first time in Commonwealth Games history," said Grevemberg. "They have got the largest para sport programme ever and Australians are using that momentum built in Glasgow around child poverty around indigenous reconciliation in a way which I think is unprecedented compared to other major events which have been held in Australia."

Debates around WADA and Sir Craig Reedie in Glasgow this weekend are just one more thing to keep a watching brief on. "This is an area we have to be relentless on," says Grevemberg. "It is not just a hot topic, it is a question of the entire legitimacy of sport. Yes, it is a working progress but we have been very outspoken in our support of the WADA code and we need to continue to be a contributor in working with WADA and other bodies to make sure that code is fit for purpose."