2023 African Games: Could future Olympic stars lose out as organisers row?

Ghana’s minister for youth and sports, Mustapha Ussif, told BBC Sport Africa that hosting the Games will cost $242m (£189m), consisting of $195m (£152m) spent on infrastructure and facilities alongside $47m (£36.7m) in operational costs.

Four years ago, the previous Games, held in the Moroccan capital Rabat, cost a reported $46m (£35.9m).

Such an increasingly large financial commitment could deter future host nations and leave organisers in a similar predicament to the one faced by Commonwealth Games leaders, who last year saw 2026 hosts Victoria pull out due to rising costs.

But Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, believes the country’s new sporting infrastructure – which includes an aquatics centre, multi-purpose indoor arena, rugby stadium and upgraded athletics facilities – should be a source of pride and will leave a “huge legacy”.

Although he will not compete in Accra, Le Clos is keen to point out his belief that the African Games continue to play a major role in the development of the continent’s new stars.

“It was very important to get that experience of racing against some top, top-level competitors.

“It’s still massive to get experience, to get familiar with international formats,” said the 31-year-old, who like many established names now prefers to focus his efforts on swimming’s World Championships and the Olympics.

“It’d be a big shame if they had to scrap it altogether.”