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≡ INTEL REPORT ≡
“The decision to host the Games has been sitting with the Scottish Government since May, and we have worked tirelessly to address all questions and concerns raised across the past few months. However, the window of opportunity is fast closing, and with it, the ability to deliver within the timeline ahead of us hampered by uncertainty and delays.
“It would be a travesty if instead of grabbing the opportunity of over £100 million inward investment, we chose to let it go and instead be left needing to find millions elsewhere to fund the essential capital work needed to upgrade public facilities in the coming years, and leave hundreds of Scottish athletes, aspiring and established, without an avenue to compete for Scotland on the international stage.
“A decision over the coming weeks is critical to deliver the Games – we believe the concept is a no brainer.”
That’s Commonwealth Games Scotland Chair Ian Reid in a statement issued on Friday, chiding the Scotland government over resistance to approving a private-sector-funded bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, an event which has been without a host since the Australian state of Victoria walked away in July 2023.
As a breach-of-contract fee, Victoria paid the Commonwealth Games Federation A$380 million, or about $258.14 million U.S. today. Glasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games very successfully in 2014, and has been promised £100 million-plus of that fee – $131.44 million or more U.S. – as a subsidy to host the 2026 Games.
Additional funds will be provided for facilities upgrades, such as for the Tollcross swimming facility and Scotstoun Stadium for rugby and track & field.
The Games budget is projected at a very modest £114 million (about $149.84 million), with a reduced scope:
● “[A] revised programme of 10 sports, reducing the number of athletes and support staff.
● “[A] compact four-venue model within an eight-mile corridor, minimising transport, hire and security costs.
● “[U]sing existing sport and accommodation venues, avoiding the need for major capital projects.”
The Games as planned would offer 500,000 spectator tickets and bring in an estimated £150 million in economic impact.
Said Reid:
“This is a unique opportunity for the people of Glasgow and Scotland to be at the centre of a bold vision for the Games and we are calling on the Government to not waste the unique opportunity which is in front of us.”
Observed: Less is more. Glasgow’s move to tighten up the Commonwealth Games, reduce the sports, venues and costs is EXACTLY the right approach to saving this event, which debuted with six sports and 59 events in 1930. The 2022 edition in Birmingham (ENG) expanded to 20 sports and 280 events, but there had been just 10 sports as late as 1994.
Right-sizing the Commonwealth Games could save the event, and be a call for other events to be similarly and properly frugal.
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