Are the Commonwealth Games done?
The Government of Alberta is ending its support for the Edmonton/Calgary bid to host the 2030 Games.
Alberta’s Tourism and Sport Minister Joseph Schow is quoted stating the potential $2.68-billion cost to host the Games is too great a financial risk for the Province.
The Australian Province of Victoria recently withdrew its support for hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The Commonwealth Games Federation is trying to present an optimistic tone, telling insidethegames.biz that they are focused on their 2023 Youth Games and hopeful of finding hosts for 2026, 2030, and 2034.
The Commonwealth Games began in Hamilton, with the first games hosted in 1930 as the British Empire Games.
They’ve declined in cultural significance during recent decades as ties between the former British Empire colonies have become less important.
Additionally, nearly all competitions at the Commonwealth are not used as Olympic qualifying events.
While there is no doubt the Commonwealth Games will eventually end, the question to watch is if Birmingham UK steps in to become a ‘permanent’ host to a quadrennial “Commonwealth Games” using their existing sports facilities.
Birmingham hosted the 2022 Games after Durban, South Africa, could not host due to financial constraints.
Production Details v. 1.0.0 Published: August 4, 2023 Last edited: August 4, 2023 Author: Joey Coleman Edit Record v. 1.0.0 original version