Insidethegames.biz reports that Premier of Victoria (Australia) Daniel Andrews “has scrapped plans to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games because of funding issues.”
They report the Games budget has ballooned to AUD$6 billion [$5.39 Canadian] from its original AUD$2.6 billion.
“I will not take money out of hospitals and schools in order to fund an event that is three times the cost [which] is estimated and budgeted for last year,” Premier Andrews is quoted as saying.
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The Commonwealth Games Federation issued a statement early Tuesday morning (UK time) stating they are “disappointed” and ” taking advice on the options available to us and remain committed to finding a solution for the Games in 2026″
Hamilton’s Unsuccessful ‘Private’ Bids
A private bidding group sought to bring the 2030 Commonwealth Games to Hamilton. The Games were founded in Hamilton as the British Empire Games in 1930.
Hamilton100 pivoted to offering to host the 2026 Games back in 2020 when there were no bids for the 2026 Games.
Hamilton100 could not secure provincial funding support because the Province of Ontario was already committed to subsidizing the 2026 FIFA World Cup games in Toronto.
When Victoria Australia announced they would host the 2026 CWG, the Hamilton bid returned to planning for 2030.
In February 2023, Commonwealth Sport Canada announced Hamilton will not be the Canadian bid city for 2030. A bid group in Alberta is preparing a bid with support from the Province of Alberta and various municipalities.
The Commonwealth Games: The End?
The Commonwealth Games’ relevance has steadily declined in recent decades as both its importance as a sporting event and the cultural connections of the former British Empire have diminished.
With no host for 2026, it is hard to see how the Commonwealth Games Federation survives as an entity.
In 2014 John Oliver asked on his HBO show, Last Week Tonight, How Is This Still a Thing?
Nearly a decade later, the question appears to be answered.
Production Details v. 1.0.0 Published: July 17, 2023 Last edited: July 17, 2023 Author: Joey Coleman Edit Record v. 1.0.0 original version
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