Australia’s Victoria state would not be hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to significant cost overruns. This has created an inconvenience for the event’s organisers as they struggled to keep the multi-sport competition afloat. This year’s event would be the first one after the demise of Queen Elizabeth.
Australia’s Victoria State Has Pulled Out Of The 2026 Commonwealth Games
— Victoria 2026 (@CommGames_) July 18, 2023
State Premier Daniel Andrews deemed the initial estimated cost was Aus$2 billion needed to hold the Games. However, the cost exceeded and was predicted to be Aus$7 billion. During a press conference, he admitted that in this role, he had to make a lot of tough decisions and tough calls. However, this decision was not one of them. They were not spending Aus$7 billion on a sports event.
He also pointed out that he won’t divert funds from hospitals and schools to fund an event that will cost three times as much as was anticipated and budgeted for the previous year. Victoria will not host the Games in 2026. He decided to try to terminate the contract and let the Commonwealth Games authorities know about it.
The competition, which would have included 20 sports and 26 disciplines, was scheduled to take place in five regional hubs throughout the state: Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland, and Shepparton, each with its own athletes’ village.
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The Federation Was Disappointed About The Decision
He was considering transferring the Games to the state capital of Melbourne and cutting several hubs. But none of those options stack up. In its place, he unveiled a Aus$2 billion support programme for rural Victoria.
In fact, he stated that negotiations with the Commonwealth Games Federation were cordial but declined to specify how much it would cost to end the contract. The Federation, on the other hand, was not amused and blasted the action as being incredibly unsatisfactory.
The Federation asserts that since Victoria was chosen as the winning bidder 14 months ago. The state had claimed to include more sports, introduced a second regional centre, and altered venue plans.
Also Read: Australia’s Gold Coast To Play Host To Commonwealth Games 2018
The decision to withdraw casts doubt on the future of the Games, as fewer and fewer nations have recently expressed interest in hosting what are thought to be outdated events.
Cover Image Courtesy: Melbourne/ Website
First Published: July 18, 2023 12:41 PM