The closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year. Credit: GETTY IMAGES
The 2026 Commonwealth Games turned into chaos after Australian Games organizers withdrew due to rising costs.
Victoria Prime Minister Daniel Andrews announced on Tuesday that it would be «wrong » host a showcase event as the estimated budget of $2.6 billion (£1.4 billion) has tripled to at least $6 billion, potentially costing the government $7 billion.
“It has become clear that the cost of hosting these games in 2026 is not the $2.6 billion that was budgeted. allocated,” Andrews told reporters on Tuesday.
“It is at least $6 billion and could be as high as $7 billion. I can't stand here with any certainty that $7 billion can fund these games — it could be more.» afternoon sports event» and does not represent value for money.
“I will not take money from hospitals and schools to finance an event that is three times the cost that was estimated and budgeted for last year. .
«We're not just making popular decisions, we're doing what's right and that would just be wrong.»
Premiere said hosting the Games would not be «value for money». Photo: AAP
The state has notified Commonwealth Games officials of its decision to terminate the contract, Mr Andrews said, adding that there were «productive meetings» in London on Monday night. Additional meetings are scheduled for Tuesday.
The prime minister called the discussion «friendly.» However, in a statement on Tuesday, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said the Victorian government's withdrawal from the agreement was «extremely disappointing».
“The reasons are financial. The figures given to us today in the amount of $6 million are 50% more than those recommended to the Organizing Committee at its meeting in June,” the statement said.
The CGF said the price increase was primarily due to the «unique regional delivery model» chosen by the state, in particular, the construction of villages and facilities, as well as transport infrastructure.
The government has also made decisions to include more sports, an additional regional center and changing plans for venues, «all of which have resulted in significant costs» and often went against the advice of the CGF and the Australian Commonwealth Games, the CGF said.
» We are disappointed that we were given only eight hours notice and that no discussion of the situation was considered to jointly seek solutions before this decision is taken by the Government.
“Up to this point, the Government has indicated that sufficient funds are available to host the Commonwealth Games in Victoria in 2026.”
Jeroen Weimar, chief executive of the Victoria organizing committee, acknowledged that the drawdown of the Games was «disappointing», but the costs increased it unsustainably.
Adam Peaty was one of the stars of last year's Games. Photo: GETTY IMAGES.
Victoria's withdrawal casts doubt on the future of the Games, given the need to seek new hosts three years in advance.
CGF said it is «taking advice» on the options available and remains committed to «finding a solution» for the Games in 2026.
In recent years, the Games have struggled to ignite global appeal. No country other than Australia has bid for the 2026 Games, and only one country other than the UK and Australia has hosted the event since 1998.
Durban was banned from the Games in 2017 2022 after the South African city failed to meet the project deadline. This event was later awarded to Birmingham.
The 2026 Games, scheduled to take place March 17-29, were budgeted at $2.6 billion and were to be held at five venues in regional Victoria: Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton. The state originally expected the federal government to pay half of the costs, most of which would go to infrastructure.
However, the federal government budget for May included more than $1 billion to fund the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, but nothing for the Games 2026.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not provide further details when asked about the cancellation on Tuesday.
«This decision has been made by the Victorian government,» he told reporters.
Mr. Andrews said factors such as security, transportation and other logistics services contributed to the increase in costs.
The prime minister faced a flurry of questions from journalists who questioned him why the cost estimate could be so far off. a sign, and one reporter likened it to building a house.
«I don't think you're going to build it, mate,» replied Mr. Andrews.
The Legacy benefits from the Game will still be delivered, Mr Andrews said, announcing a regional package worth more than $2 billion to build permanent sports facilities in the state.
Game abandonment is 'embarrassing'
Conservative MPs were quick to criticize the Victorian Labor government for the dismissal, calling this step «shameful».
“Losing the Commonwealth Games is shameful. But let's not forget that this is a symptom of the state with the highest debt and the highest tax. What else are we missing? Victorians deserve better,” Liberal MP Keith Wolahan tweeted.
Prime Minister @DanielAndrewsMP says Commonwealth Games in Victoria would cost over $7 billion
Are we going to make swimming pools out of gold?
Birmingham cost England only $1.5 billion in 2022
That doesn't add up.
— Laura Jayes (@ljayes) July 18, 2023
Liberal Opposition Leader John Pesutto also lashed out at Labor in a scathing Twitter post, calling the decision a «massive humiliation.»
«This decision is a betrayal of the regional Victoria and confirms that Victoria is broke and Labor simply cannot manage large projects without huge costs,” he said.
However, some locals praised the decision and questioned whether the Commonwealth Games should be held at all.
The Commonwealth Games, if one of those things that are nice to have, and the regional Victorian games were smart.
But not at that price.
Retreating is the right decision.
I love it when Aussies win a lot of gold, but let's be honest, it's not like the Olympics.
— Luke Hilakari (@lhilakari) 18 July 2023
The Commonwealth Games have been a redundant concept for years. The world is changing, not least the sports world. Where we once honored Matilda the kangaroo at the 1982 Brisbane Games, we now salute Matilda as we host the World Cup, a far more relevant and worthy event pic.twitter.com/1B4izgNQVy
— Anthony Sharwood ❄️ (@antharwood) Jul 18, 2023
The Commonwealth Games were once a beautiful thing.
But, unfortunately, now they are irrelevant and too expensive to operate.
A sad but true fact.
— Stephen Quartermain10 (@Quartermain10), July 17, 2023
Australian swimmer and two-time Paralympic gold medalist Rowan Crothers said the Games were a «great opportunity» to improve awareness for sports with disabilities and «cancelling the Games would suck for the state.»
It is clear that other neighboring states such as South Australia, New South Wales or Queensland have shown no interest in hosting the Games. Games.
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