State of Victoria decides not to host Commonwealth Games

Fr Tod Umptious

The state of Victoria in Australia have pulled out of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The fact that the cost of hosting has risen from an estimated Au$2billion to an estimated Au$7billion made the decision for them.

Now I know the Commonwealth Games are not on a par with an Olympics or soccer World Cup but I think it's a good decision for politicians who are supposed to represent taxpayers say a loud "f you" to these sporting bodies when the costs get out of control.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/other-sport/2023/0718/1395094-victoria-withdraws-as-host-of-2026-commonwealth-games/

Calahonda52

About time, especially with all the legacy of the games crap, abandoned facilities etc

Fr Tod Umptious

Looks like Glasgow is ready to jump in here with the cost being covered by the Commonwealth Games themselves, private money and some money from Australia who were supposed to host it.

The UK government is offering £2.5m for security if the Scottish government match it, so that's a pittance in the big scheme of things.

Also they want to slim down the whole thing from 18 sports in 2014 the last time Glasgow held the games to 10 or 13 sports.

The fact that Glasgow hosted in 2014 helps because they can use a lot of the infrastructure they had then.

I know most here don't care much for the Commonwealth Games, myself included, but I think this is an interesting insight into the current attitudes of cities and countries when it comes to hosting mega sports events.

We can see already that the oil rich nations are stepping in where the traditional western countries are stepping away.

Pity for the Commonwealth Games that there is no legacy of empire in the middle east, if there was they would have nothing to worry about.