Angry Olympian Giaan Rooney slams Commonwealth Games disaster

Olympic swimmer Giaan Rooney has shared a nostalgic pic with her Insta followers as she lashes the Victorian Government’s decision to pull out of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Former Olympic swimming champion Giaan Rooney has blasted the Victorian Government’s decision to pull out of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The Brisbane-born athlete and popular TV presenter took to Instagram to vent her frustration over Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ decision to pull out of hosting the 2026 Games, citing a cost blow out.

“It took me a few days to process the news that the state of Victoria has decided – without consultation it seems – to rip up the contract of hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026,” she wrote in the emotional post, accompanied by a nostalgic picture of herself at her first Commonwealth Games.

Rooney, who made her international swimming debut at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, securing gold in the 100m backstroke and the 4x100-metre medley relay, expressed her dismay over the lost opportunity for athletes and fans alike.

“Firstly, for the athletes. The chance to compete, at an elite level, in front of a home crowd & family and friends is a rare opportunity,” she wrote.

“Victoria 2026 was the carrot dangling for many of our more mature athletes to stay competitive after next year’s Paris Olympics …”

In her Instagram tirade, Rooney also mentioned the missed chance for spectators to witness these monumental sporting moments in person.

“You are never too young nor too old to be inspired to make your dreams a reality – and to be healthy and active enough for it to be possible,” she wrote.

Official opening the newly updated Miami Aquatic Centre, Miami. Former Olympic Australia swimmer Giaan Rooney. Picture: Jerad Williams

Rooney’s frustration extended beyond the athletes and fans to the residents of regional Victoria, who she said stood to benefit greatly from the Games’ infrastructure and tourism boost.

Having lived in Clunes in northern NSW for two years, Rooney empathised with the regional areas of Victoria which she believes was being overlooked.

“After living rurally for the last 2 years I am also feeling for the regions of Victoria,” she wrote.

“The towns who would have not only had the boost of new stadiums & infrastructure but for the tourism & spend for small businesses that is so needed in the aftermath of the pandemic. Buy from the Bush. Stay in the Bush. Be active & play sport – in the Bush.”

A picture of Giaan & her Husband, Sam, leaning over a fence on their macadamia farm. Photo: Instagram @giaan.rooney

Additionally, the former athlete highlighted the abrupt nature of the announcement and the implications it may have on other potential host cities or states.

“Organising committee’s had been assembled. Money had been spent. Infrastructure had been planned. How is any city or state in the Commonwealth expected to now take on the Games with just 3 short years to pull it together???” Rooney asked.

Pointing to Thursday night’s Matildas World Cup clash against Ireland, watched live by more than 75,000 fans, Rooney argued that the Victorian government has disregarded sport’s unifying power, stating, “sport offers so much to our Australian psyche, united in a common goal regardless of differences.”

“That is the bigger picture that the Victorian government has not only failed to see but has blatantly disregarded,” she wrote.

She ended her post with a plea for other state governments to consider taking on the job of hosting the games.

“We can only hope that a government elsewhere has the ability & aptitude to pull together the huge task of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games,” she said.