Commonwealth Games: 2026 Host Cancellation!
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The Australian State of Victoria, due to host the Commonwealth Games in 2026, has pulled out, citing the spiralling costs of staging the Games. The costs have tripled to more than A$6 billion (£3.136 billion).
The Australian Government has ruled out the possibility of stepping in to save the Games.
Victoria premier, Daniel Andrews, stated that the 2026 Games did not deliver a “return on investments” like other sporting events.
And added:
“It’s all cost and no benefit.”
Does this signal the end of the Games, which were introduced in 1930?
Several commentators consider that the Games are no longer relevant in a changing political and economic world.
Other major international sporting events are also facing rising costs and it will be interesting to see whether the Commonwealth Games, in which disabled athletes compete alongside able-bodied ones, will be able to survive this set back!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
