[Other Sport] Are the Commonwealth Games done?

[Bozza]

Malaysia has declined to host the 2026 games, despite being offered $100m as "supporting funds", and Alberta had previously withdrawn their bid to host the 2030 games, leaving no current prospective hosts.

Might Birmingham 2022 end up being the last-ever Games?

 

[KZNSeagull]

Seems like it. Mrs Queen would not be happy.

 

[dazzer6666]

Malaysia has declined to host the 2026 games, despite being offered $100m as "supporting funds", and Alberta had previously withdrawn their bid to host the 2030 games, leaving no current prospective hosts.

Might Birmingham 2022 end up being the last-ever Games?

Think it was Victoria that originally withdrew for 2026 after being awarded it, Alberta withdrew from bidding for 2030.

Wouldn’t be surprised if we stepped in….if not, could be the end

 

[Insel affe]

100million !!

put that into the NHS

 

[Bozza]

Think it was Victoria that withdrew for 2026 after being awarded it, Alberta withdrew from bidding for 2030.

Wouldn’t be surprised if we stepped in….if not, could be the end

Birmingham was going to go for the 2026 Games, but switched to 2022 when Durban, who had been awarded it, pulled out.

Victoria had agreed to host 2026, but then withdrew as you say.

London hasn't hosted a Games since 1934 which seems slightly strange. It might be the last resort if no-one else wants it, and there's a strong enough desire to keep it going.

 

[nickbrighton]

I think a sensible way forward would be to hold a much pared back games. No need for new stadiums, massive infrastructure changes etc
There are only a certain number of velodromes, swimming pools,stadiums that can be used on an ongoing basis after a games is over. Most countries able to host a games will have enough, already, even if they are not "state of the art"

If the UK for example were to offer, we have the olympic and previous commonwealth games venues to utilise, plenty of reasonably new and modern football stadiums,

The current thinking seems to be to out do whatever went previously, forget that, do a budget games. A 400 meter running track is still the same distance whever its at Withdean or the London Stadium!

 

[Rookie]

I’m struggling to see why it costs so much to host. Birmingham was great but all seemed to be temporary structures so where does the huge cost come in?

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I think the whole Commonwealth thing is done, not just the games.

 

[Insel affe]

I think the whole Commonwealth thing is done, not just the games.

Agreed antiquated colonial bollox, that just reminds us of our shameful past.

 

[dsr-burnley]

Agreed antiquated colonial bollox, that just reminds us of our shameful past.

So the likes of Gabon, Togo, Rwanda, Mozambique, South Sudan, Suriname, Burundi, should all be told to get stuffed, we're disbanding the club?

The Commonwealth doesn't exist because the UK wants it, it exists because the 54 member countries want it. We need to get away from the far-from accurate view that the Commonwealth is the UK + 53 colonies.

 

[Insel affe]

So the likes of Gabon, Togo, Rwanda, Mozambique, South Sudan, Suriname, Burundi, should all be told to get stuffed, we're disbanding the club?

yeah in a nutshell

 

[Pavilionaire]

Cities conspicuous by their absence:

Mumbai
Chennai
Johannesburg
Durban
Cape Town
Karachi
Lahore
Toronto
Montreal
Lagos
Dhaka.

I think the main benefit of the Games is as preparation for the Olympics. The Home Nations, Australia, Canada, New Zealand often appear to punch above their weight in the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games must be a contributory factor.

So head says keep it, but heart says bin it. Let's not forget, right up until 1966 it was known as 'The British Empire and Commonwealth Games', and even now the 'white' nations of British Isles, Australia, New Zealand and Canada have won more than three-quarters of all gold medals since the first British Empire Games in 1930.

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

I’m struggling to see why it costs so much to host. Birmingham was great but all seemed to be temporary structures so where does the huge cost come in?

Birmingham was mostly at existing venues. They built a new aquatic centre, renovated the Alexander Stadium where the athletics was held and built one temporary arena for beach volleyball, wheelchair basketball and a couple of other sports in Smithfield Market. They would have added some temporary stands at a lot of venues as well. Even taking in the costs of hosting 5,000 athletes plus coaches and officials (who were housed in existing Uni's and hotels so no purpose built athletes village) I can't see how that cost nearly £800m (split 25/75 between Birmingham City Council and Central UK Government).

I've seen reports it generated around £100m in profit but isn't Birmingham City Council now effectively bankrupt, that certainly isn't going to encourage anyone to step up and host in the future. Not sure how the games remain viable going forward, it's not going to generate the sponsorship revenue of an Olympic games, so maybe it either needs to be massively scaled back or put to rest.

 

[Official Old Man]

£100 million you say?
First up, we grab one of those stadiums left over from the last world cup. Just to hire mind. Going to put it up somewhere near the Amex. Obviously needs a running track.
Next we check out Sussex Uni for rooms. Students would have gone home.
Amex can be frozen over for all ice skating events.
Boating can be held off Brighton seafront. Smaller events in Hove lagoon.
Swimming. This is tricky. Dig a hole somewhere, fill it with water and put seats around it.
There you go, sorted with change.

 

[Bozza]

Birmingham was mostly at existing venues. They built a new aquatic centre, renovated the Alexander Stadium where the athletics was held and built one temporary arena for beach volleyball, wheelchair basketball and a couple of other sports in Smithfield Market. They would have added some temporary stands at a lot of venues as well. Even taking in the costs of hosting 5,000 athletes plus coaches and officials (who were housed in existing Uni's and hotels so no purpose built athletes village) I can't see how that cost nearly £800m (split 25/75 between Birmingham City Council and Central UK Government).

I've seen reports it generated around £100m in profit but isn't Birmingham City Council now effectively bankrupt, that certainly isn't going to encourage anyone to step up and host in the future. Not sure how the games remain viable going forward, it's not going to generate the sponsorship revenue of an Olympic games, so maybe it either needs to be massively scaled back or put to rest.

I don't think Birmingham City Council's woes are anything to do with hosting the Commonwealth Games, more a historic claim relating to (the lack of) equal pay. I think it's set to cost them the best part of £1billion.

 

[beorhthelm]

I think the whole Commonwealth thing is done, not just the games.

the members disagree, all sign up to it voluntarily.

the games will probably end up bouncing between Birmingham and a few others with established facilities. it doesnt make any sense to be building for games every 4 years - see also Olympics (most economical disasters) and World Cup (leaving a trail of unused stadiums)

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I think a sensible way forward would be to hold a much pared back games. No need for new stadiums, massive infrastructure changes etc
There are only a certain number of velodromes, swimming pools,stadiums that can be used on an ongoing basis after a games is over. Most countries able to host a games will have enough, already, even if they are not "state of the art"

If the UK for example were to offer, we have the olympic and previous commonwealth games venues to utilise, plenty of reasonably new and modern football stadiums,

The current thinking seems to be to out do whatever went previously, forget that, do a budget games. A 400 meter running track is still the same distance whever its at Withdean or the London Stadium!

To be honest, that's pretty much what is being done for Paris 2024 Olympics. Having done a lot of research into it recently, it seems to be very much done on the cheap with famous landmarks being 'transformed' into sports venues, with only three brand new facilities being built (two of which are in one of the poorest areas of Paris to try and 'gentrify' it a bit). It makes complete sense (as does having the vast majority of the games going on within a 10km radius) and saves a whole load of money at the same time. Having briefly looked into LA 2028, I think they are going down the same path.

As for the Commonwealth Games, I think it's a bit of a busted flush. Although the UK could continue to step in and then it could be a REAL 'Celebration of Brexit' type affair. A reminder of a time when the country ruled the world and didn't have to worry about bits of coloured fabric on a football shirt

 

[studio150]

Rishi has a plan, as part of the levelling up programme, he is pleased to announce that Tees Valley has agreed to host the next Commonwealth games.

When questioned, Rishi said his decision had nothing to do with Ben Houchen, nor trying to deflect from his wife being chosen to comment as an audience member on the BBCs Question Time

 

[nicko31]

I would ask a broader question, what is the point of the Commonwealth full stop?

 

[GT49er]

I think a sensible way forward would be to hold a much pared back games. No need for new stadiums, massive infrastructure changes etc
There are only a certain number of velodromes, swimming pools,stadiums that can be used on an ongoing basis after a games is over. Most countries able to host a games will have enough, already, even if they are not "state of the art"

If the UK for example were to offer, we have the olympic and previous commonwealth games venues to utilise, plenty of reasonably new and modern football stadiums,

The current thinking seems to be to out do whatever went previously, forget that, do a budget games. A 400 meter running track is still the same distance whever its at Withdean or the London Stadium!

Exactly. What is all this crap about 'bidding' for it? Just put on the games in existing stadiums, and have the competitors stay in student halls of residence (assuming the games are held outwith university term times). No need at all to try to out-do every games that has ever gone before.