Comm Games chief backs Australia’s offer for Glasgow 26
The Commonwealth Games Federation’s president has endorsed Australia’s offer of a multimillion dollar investment to support Scottish city Glasgow’s bid to host the games in 2026 after the state of Victoria pulled out last year over cost concerns.
The quadrennial multi-sport event has struggled to find hosts, with Malaysia rejecting an offer to host the 2026 edition and Canada’s Alberta withdrawing from hosting the event in 2030.
Glasgow, which also hosted the 2014 edition, stepped up as a back-up venue in April with Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) proposing a concept that slashed the event’s budget.
The scaled-down model will use existing sporting infrastructure for a core sport programme of 10-13 sports and will not ask for significant public funds, the CGS said.
“We commend Commonwealth Games Australia (CGAus) for making this generous multi-million-pound offer,” CGF President Chris Jenkins said in a statement on Sunday, adding that the Glasgow model was different but innovative.
“Glasgow 2026 would be the first step in the Commonwealth sport movement’s journey to reset and reframe the Commonwealth Games as a co-created, flexible, and sustainable model,” Jenkins added.
Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) president Ben Houston announced on Saturday that they would commit to a multi-million dollar investment to support the 2026 Games in Glasgow.
A Scottish government spokesperson said no decision had yet been taken on the Games but that talks were ongoing ahead of a meeting due to take place with CGA next week.
The spokesperson said: “Discussions on this issue are ongoing and no decision has been taken by the Scottish government. As part of these discussions, the Health Secretary will meet with Commonwealth Games Australia next week.
“Due diligence is being given to the many opportunities and risks this proposal presents.”
Houston’s statement added: “We appreciate that the model is different and that that creates perceived financial and reputational challenges, but we have every confidence in the model proposed by Commonwealth Games Scotland.
“As one of the beneficiaries of the settlement with the Victorian Government, we today commit a multi-million pound investment into the Games to be further negotiated with Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Scottish government.
“Now is not the time to walk away from a Games that has inspired for generations, and we look forward to working collaboratively toward an outcome that benefits Commonwealth nations, their athletes, coaches and fans.”
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