Athletics

THE COMMONWEALTH Games are close to extinction – unless they quickly find a new host with very deep pockets.A sporting institution that has been running for almost a century, one that is backed by the soft power of the British Royal Family, is in danger of fizzling out and disappearing from our calendars.
England’s 4x100m relay team celebrate silver at Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games in 2022Credit: AFP
Performers as a butterfly during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing CeremonyCredit: Getty
There might be 72 associated nations and territories but NOBODY is prepared to stage the next two events this decade due to rising costs.
Organises have been rocked by the news that Canadian province Alberta will not mount a bid for the 2030 Games given the billion-dollar price tag.
It followed last month’s devastating decision by the Australian State of Victoria to cancel its plans to stage the Games in three years’ time due to budget blowouts.
Though Birmingham did a fantastic job staging the multi-sport Commonwealths only 12 months ago, the quadrennial tournament is under serious threat of never happening again.
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It was late on Thursday night that Joseph Schow, the Minister of Tourism and Sport for Alberta, announced the decision not to continue pursuing a bid for 2030.
Initial plans had to be held the sports over 11 days in Calgary and Edmonton.
That particular year marks the centenary year of the first British Empire Games, which were held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.
Schow said: “Any proposal to host major games is considered with the interests of Alberta taxpayers at top of mind.
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“We committed to remain transparent with Albertans about the costs of hosting international sporting events and clearly demonstrating a return on our investment for the people and communities in Alberta.
“Based on current bid estimates, hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games could result in a cost of up to C$2.68 billion (£1.57billion).
The Commonwealth Stadium in Alberta, where the Games were meant to be heldCredit: Getty
Ozzy Osbourne performs during the closing ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in 2022Credit: AFP
“The corporate sponsorship model and limited broadcast revenues for the Commonwealth Games would have put 93% of those costs and risks on taxpayers.”
The under-pressure Commonwealth Games Federation continue to say the right things, stressing that “dialogue with other potential hosts is on-going”.
They talk about its “proud history”, its “iconic sporting moments” and representation for athletes being “the experience of a lifetime”.
But money talks in professional sports and unless they locate a suitable location, the Commonwealth Games may follow the path of the Dodo.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has offered an olive branch, claiming the “sporting capital of the world” would be the perfect next hosts after the success of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
But any final decision would need to be made by the UK government, which does have a General Election to consider.
Elsewhere Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has said he is willing to “explore” proposals for Scotland to accommodate at least part of the 2026 Games.
But until someone wealthy enough comes forward soon, then the next edition will have to be postponed by several years or even scrapped altogether.
Whatever happens, a complete rethink is needed about what the Commonwealths look like and how big it should be logistically.
Perhaps the size of the competition and number of individual sports – which was 20 in Birmingham – may have to be reduced dramatically.
Inevitably it’s the athletes who suffer the most and Katy Marchant echoed the disappointment of many who have competed at Commonwealth level.
The Leeds-born cyclist, who won Commonwealth Games team sprint bronze in 2018, said: “The cancellation of Victoria is a massive hit. It was a disappointing headline to read.
“We are unsure yet of what will come of that and how that will be rectified.
“The Commonwealth Games are huge. It’s a massive stepping stone for an athlete.
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“If the Olympics don’t go to plan, the Commonwealths give you another chance to rectify or to perform on a big stage.
“Medals, whatever the level, all mean something to an athlete and are all part of a journey.” More

LONDON “stands ready” to step in and save the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Australia pulled the plug on hosting the tournament amid spiralling costs.Mayor Sadiq Khan said the “sporting capital of the world” would be the perfect host after the success of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
Sadiq Khan has said London is ready to step in to host the gamesCredit: Getty
Events could be hosted at WembleyCredit: PA:Press Association
And at West Ham’s London StadiumCredit: Getty
But ministers fear Britain hosting the event for the third time in just 12 years is a major risk to the future of the Games.
The 93-year-old contest is in serious doubt after the Australian State of Victoria dramatically cancelled its plans on Tuesday less than three years before its start date due to budget blowouts.
The multi-billion pound event had been scheduled to run in March 2026 in various regional centres, including Melbourne.
Yesterday Mr Khan said London “stands ready”, believing the Capital has the capability and top-class venues to stage sports like athletics, swimming and cycling.
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However Whitehall sources have played down the prospects of Britain stepping in. 
One said: “Obviously we want athletes to have the opportunity to compete and fans to enjoy, but we want the Games to be a success all over the world, not just here.”
No formal approach for help has yet been made to the UK Government or any decision made.
What would hinder any possible rescue job inside the corridors of power is the substantial costs involved, the short timeframe and the target of getting Uefa’s Euro football championships in 2028.
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Birmingham stepped in to stage a successful 2022 Games when the South African city of Durban was stripped of hosting rights due to financial issues and missing key deadlines.
But the Brummie officials had the benefit of FIVE years to get everything ready.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) were completely flummoxed when they were told this week that the 2026 Games were being axed by the hosts.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that spending “6-7 billion Australian dollars” (£3.1-3.7billion) on the 12-day sporting event “did not represent value for money, that is all cost and no benefit”.
He added: “It’s more than twice the estimated economic benefit the Games would bring our State.
“When the Commonwealth Games needed a host city to step in at the last minute, we were willing to help – but not at price. And not without a big lasting benefit for regional Victoria.”
The only time the Commonwealths have ever been cancelled was during the Second World War.
The CGF said: “We’re disappointed that we were only given eight hours’ notice and that no consideration was given to discussing the situation to jointly find solutions prior to this decision being reached by the Government.
“Up until this point, the Government had advised that sufficient funding was available to deliver the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.
“We are taking advice on the options available to us and remain committed to finding a solution for the Games in 2026 that is in the best interest of our athletes and the wider Commonwealth Sport Movement.”
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The 2026 Commonwealths were due to be the first of the new era of King Charles III following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last September at the age of 96.
But there is a major concern the multi-sport tournament – formerly known as the British Empire Games – could soon become scrapped altogether unless they are postponed by several years. More