Two Australian states have called for the 2026 Commonwealth Games to be saved after Victoria canceled the event.
NSW and Western Australia have been called on to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed his state would not host the global event because of the $6 billion cost.
Andrews confirmed the bombshell news on Tuesday, declaring his government could not justify the huge financial outlay.
The Games were to be staged in regional Victoria in regions such as Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton.
In the eyes of many, Sydney quickly became a replacement option – the harbor city last hosted a Commonwealth Games in 1938 – because it has much of the infrastructure after hosting the 2000 Olympics.
Former Australian Olympic Committee boss John Coates said, ‘There’s no question we have the venue…and March would be a good time to host it.’
Calls for NSW and Western Australia to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games have grown after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed his state would not host the global event.
The decorated Australian swimmer James Magnussen said that the victims would be the athletes after the bombshell announcement
‘I’d like to see it come here … (in) 2026 to match Aerotropolis (opening in western Sydney). There are venues, the ability to host sports.
‘It will be great for Sydney’s reputation.’
Sadly for Sydney sports enthusiasts, NSW Premier Chris Means has ruled out any possibility of his state staging the event.
Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas urged the WA Government to seize the opportunity, but Premier Roger Cook rejected the possibility.
The South Australian government also confirmed it would not step in to save the Games, and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk refused to even entertain the idea of ​​her state hosting the 2032 Olympics.
Decorated Australian swimmer James Magnussen – who won gold in the 4x100m relay at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast – branded Andrews’ announcement ‘disappointing’.
‘The Commonwealth Games hold a special place in the hearts of Australian athletes. We don’t get a grand final every year like in the football code. We train throughout the year to perform once a year,’ he told Sen Radio.
‘You’ve got a world champion year, you’ve got a Commonwealth Games year, and you’ve got an Olympic year. Take that out of cycle and we’re racing once every two years.
‘As an athlete who competed at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and for all the fans who turned up…it was a massive event and very well received.
Premier Chris Minnes rules out NSW bid to host 2026 Commonwealth Games
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk isn’t even entertaining the idea of ​​her state hosting the 2032 Olympics.
‘It still holds a lot of importance in Australian sport. It’s basically the biggest recruiting tool for a sport like swimming. People are watching NRL and AFL every weekend.
“Something like the Commonwealth Games on home soil makes a young athlete dream. It has a huge impact on the sport.’
Retired Aussie tennis star turned Victorian politician Sam Groth condemned the development on Twitter.
“The Premier, Deputy Premier and the Andrews Labor Government have failed regional Victoria,” the Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events tweeted.
‘This is an embarrassment and hugely damaging to our international reputation as a global event leader.
‘Labour can no longer be trusted because it keeps breaking its promises.’
Timeline of 2026 Commonwealth Games
March 2017 – Durban is stripped of the 2022 Commonwealth Games December 2017 – Birmingham is named as the replacement host for the 2022 Games, instead of hosting the 2026 Games February 2022 – Victoria makes an exclusive bid to host the Games – Victoria 2022 Games awards. May 2022 not the first to be hosted by a city – Victorian Government commits $2.6 billion to Games June 2022 – Former Victorian Covid-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar appointed chief executive of Games Organizing Committee July 2022 – Dates locked in February Done – March 2026August 2022 – Former Richmond Football Club President Peggy O’Neill announced as Chair of the Games Organizing Committee October 2022 – Full list of sports for the Games released March 2023 – Former swimmer Petraia Thomas re-appointed as Australia’s Chef de Citapri Mission for the Games Engaged Greater Geelong says it will spend about $8 million on May 2023 event – Federal budget allocates no money for Games in May 2023 – Tenders to build sports venue go out in July 2023 – Victorian Government announces that It will no longer host the Games because they will be too expensive
– AAP