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Victorians to miss out on 2026 Commonwealth Games billed as one of the most exciting in decades

The teen running sensation will join Aussie stars including swimmer Ariarne Titmus and long distance runner Jessica Hull at next year’s Commonwealth Games in what’s been described as “a massive missed opportunity’’ for Victoria.

Teen Aussie running sensation Gout Gout has revealed he will run at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in a huge boost for the event but a bitter blow for Victoria.

A year out from the Games, Gout’s management has confirmed he will race in the blue riband 100m at the international event hosted by Glasgow but funded to the tune of $200m by Victorian taxpayers after Dan Andrews’ embarrassing decision to dump it.

Gout Gout will race in the blue riband 100m at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Gout Gout will race in the blue riband 100m at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

With Gout’s decision and the prospect of Australia’s all-conquering swimmers facing off with Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh, the event is being billed as one of the most exciting in decades.

Dual Commonwealth Games silver medallist David Culbert told the Herald Sun it was “a massive missed opportunity’’ for Victoria.

“Every time a milestone like that (a year out from the Games) comes up, it just shows the folly of spending so much money to have it hosted somewhere else,’’ he said.

Glasgow 2026 boss Phil Batty boasted having Gout at the Games would “showcase the very best in the world”.

“I know it will be a brilliant experience for Gout and Team Australia,” he said.

Opposition sports and major events spokesman Sam Groth said opportunities in hospitality, tourism, employment, retail and marketing for the state had been lost.

“Victorians will be rightly devastated they won’t get to watch Australian athletes such as Gout Gout and Ariarne ­Titmus compete in person, ­instead waking up in the middle of the night to catch a glimpse on TV on the other side of the world,” he said.

Ariarne ­Titmus will compete in the Glasgow event. Picture: Adam Head
Ariarne ­Titmus will compete in the Glasgow event. Picture: Adam Head

Gout’s manager James Templeton confirmed the 17-year-old would run in the Games, saying: “Yes, we are planning that Gout will be available to run an event in Glasgow before going onto the world junior championships in Eugene, Oregon.”

Gout had previously indicated he would focus on the world juniors next year, but due to lobbying from Games broadcaster Channel 7 and a favourable schedule he will now be able to compete in both events.

The Commonwealth Games will begin in Glasgow on July 23, and with the 100m set to be early in the schedule Gout is expected to focus on that ­before flying to the west coast of the US.

Aussies including Olympic gold medallist pole vaulter Nina Kennedy and silver medallist long distance runner Jessica Hull are also expected to compete in Glasgow.

Silver medallist long distance runner Jessica Hull is set to compete at the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Getty
Silver medallist long distance runner Jessica Hull is set to compete at the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Getty

Mr Groth said it was disgraceful that $200m of taxpayer funds would be used to stage the Games almost 17,000km away, with no economic benefit to the state.

“This is more than just a lost sporting event – it’s the loss of community infrastructure, much-needed housing, and long-term economic opportunities for Victorians,” he said.

“Labor went to the last election promising regional communities world-class sporting facilities based on a deeply flawed Commonwealth Games business case that appears to have been nothing more than a cynical election ploy.”

Mr Andrews sensationally pulled out of hosting the major event in one of his final acts as premier, claiming its cost had blown out from $2.6bn to at least $6bn.

Daniel Andrews sensationally pulled out of hosting the major event. Picture: AAP
Daniel Andrews sensationally pulled out of hosting the major event. Picture: AAP

It cost the government almost $600m to pull out of the event, with a significant portion of this being a $380m compensation payment made to Commonwealth Games organisations.

The bombshell left the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) scrambling to find a new host, with Glasgow, which hosted in 2014, picking up the baton at the last minute in October last year amid fears the event would not happen.

In a damning report, Victoria’s Auditor-General Andrew Greaves later blamed a lack of due diligence for the debacle.

Mr Greaves also cast doubt on government claims of a cost blowout to almost $7bn, saying the figure was overstated by $2.1bn.

Olympic gold medallist pole vaulter Nina Kennedy is Glasgow-bound. Picture: Getty
Olympic gold medallist pole vaulter Nina Kennedy is Glasgow-bound. Picture: Getty

A heavily criticised business case projected over 328,000 unique visitors to regional Victoria during the Games and $2.07bn in total economic output for regional Victoria.

Mr Batty said he understood the importance of making the new modified Games a success to guarantee its future.

“There is definitely a sense of responsibility in getting it right,” he said.

“Having lived through how incredible the Birmingham (Commonwealth Games) were in 2022, it’s easy to forget we were coming out of a global pandemic then.

“This time you are really ­focusing on re-imaging this in a way that protects all those brilliant things we know and love about multi-sport events, but making it more inclusive for more Commonwealth nations to host it going forward.”

Former sprint champion Matt Shirvington said the Games was an important stepping stone for young athletes.

“Athletics has always been close to my heart, and with a golden era emerging, it’s even more exciting to see Gout Gout, Nina Kennedy, Lachie Kennedy, Peter Bol, Jess Hull and so many more lighting up the track … it will make the Games compulsive viewing.”

Mr Culbert said Victoria’s reputation had been tarnished by the government’s woeful handling of the 2026 Games.

“We’re very, very good at putting on events and so we should be hosting it,’’ he said. “But it’s highly unlikely to ever come back to Australia because of the damage to the brand done by someone who just wasn’t honest.’’

Originally published as Victorians to miss out on 2026 Commonwealth Games billed as one of the most exciting in decades

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/victoria/victorians-to-miss-out-on-games-billed-as-one-of-the-most-exciting-in-decades/news-story/40be57db4fef293155a62a8ee2d33c52