An Anachronism: On the Commonwealth Games

Context: 

Government of Victoria, Australia, withdraws from hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Reasons for Australia’s Withdrawal from Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games:

• Financial Constraints:
  • The initial budget estimation for hosting the Games in Victoria was AUS$2.6 billion.
  • As planning progressed, the projected costs escalated and could potentially exceed AUS$6 billion.
  • Victoria expressed concerns about the financial burden of hosting a 12-day sporting event with such high expenses.
• Lack of Federal Funding:
  • The Government of Victoria struggled to secure sufficient federal funding for the Games.
  • Without adequate financial support from the federal level, funding the event became increasingly challenging.
• Mounting Debts:
  • Victoria was already facing financial challenges and increasing debts.
  • Diverting money from essential services like hospitals and schools to fund the Games was not a viable option.

About Commonwealth Games:

• The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event that takes place every four years and involves athletes from countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations. 
• The Commonwealth of Nations, formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an association of 54 member countries, most of which are former territories of the British Empire.
• The Commonwealth Games were first held in 1930 and were known as the British Empire Games. 
• The event was rebranded as the British Commonwealth Games in 1954, and later in 1978, it adopted the name “Commonwealth Games” to reflect the inclusivity of all member nations.

Why is this pull out concerning?

• Limited Host Countries: Only six countries, including Australia, have ever hosted the Commonwealth Games. Victoria’s withdrawal affects the continuity and tradition of the Games, as it was supposed to be Australia’s third hosting in six editions.
• Lost Opportunity for Australia: With Victoria’s withdrawal, Australia misses the chance to showcase its ability to organize major sporting events on the global stage.
• Impact on Credibility: The withdrawal of a major host country like Australia may raise questions about the credibility and stability of the Commonwealth Games as a global sporting event.
• Economic Considerations: The decision to withdraw was driven by financial concerns, with the estimated cost of hosting the Games being significantly higher than expected.
• Future Host Selection: Finding an alternative host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games becomes a challenging task for the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) with other Australian states also declining to fill in.
• Global Sporting Image: Victoria’s withdrawal may create negative perceptions about hosting major international sporting events and the associated challenges.

Way Forward:

Future organizers of the Commonwealth Games can save costs by adopting the following strategies:

• Utilizing Existing Facilities: Host athletes and officials at pre-existing facilities like hotels and university campuses. Birmingham 2022 successfully housed athletes at university facilities, presenting a blueprint for reducing costs.
• Temporary Venues: Opt for temporary venues for certain events to avoid the need for constructing permanent structures. Birmingham 2022 used the NEC Exhibition Centre for boxing, weightlifting, badminton, and table tennis events.
• Repurposing Infrastructure: Repurpose existing infrastructure to host events instead of building new sports facilities. This approach was employed at the Gold Coast Games, where three out of 17 venues were temporary.

News Source: The Hindu