Huge sporting event facing extinction after 93 years due to potential £1.57bn bill
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.
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.
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 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.
“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.”