Commonwealth Games future in doubt as other states rule out rescue

afr.com:

Australia’s major state governments have ruled out offers to salvage the 2026 Commonwealth Games, putting the tournament at risk of cancellation for the first time since World War II.

The Commonwealth Games Federation, based in London, was left scrambling to find an alternative tournament host after they were given just eight hours’ notice of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ decision to withdraw as host.

Will athletes like Kyle Chalmers ever compete at another Commonwealth Games? Getty

Mr Andrews’ shock announcement, which he attributed to a forecasted cost blowout that the country’s most indebted state could not afford, blindsided all major sports codes, as well as the federation. The move has also raised concerns among athletes, coaches and support staff about the long-term future of the Commonwealth Games, which will mark its centenary in 2030.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said he could not commit to a massive project at a time when the state had “unprecedented debt”.

“I’ve got to be acutely aware of the mandate for which we were elected,” Mr Minns said. “I can’t commit to things that I’m not sure or confident that we can complete … We’re not in a position to take them on.”

Mr Minns was joined by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Western Australia Premier Roger Cook and South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas in ruling out a bid.

Ms Palaszczuk said even though the state’s economy was in a strong position, her government was focused on holding the 2032 Olympics, while Mr Cook said the sporting event was an expensive “sugar hit”.

“This would cost a significant amount of money and provide very little return on that investment, providing a highly expensive sugar hit of a 12-day sporting festival,” he said.

Victorian