Fury follows Victoria’s last-minute move to ditch Comm Games

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews’ bombshell decision to scrap the state’s hosting of the 2026 Commonwealth Games has been slammed as “embarrassing” and jeopardised Australia’s international reputation.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews’ bombshell decision to scrap the state’s hosting of the 2026 Commonwealth Games has been slammed as “embarrassing” and jeopardised Australia’s international reputation, with serious fears about the future of the major event.

On Tuesday Mr Andrews sensationally pulled the pin on the state hosting the major global sporting event, pointing the finger at escalating costs which had spiralled from $2.6bn to between $6bn and $7bn, with the possibility of even further blowouts.

But during a fiery press conference, CGA chief executive Craig Phillips slammed the Premier’s figures as a “gross exaggeration”, and accused the Victorian Government of “wilfully ignoring” recommendations to move events to more cost-effective venues.

“I’d be very careful if I was an international sporting body coming and doing business in the state in the future,” he said.

“A state that prides itself on being the sporting capital of the world, I’m not sure this is a great look.”

Mr Andrews said the event would not proceed because the hefty price tag was “truly too much for a 12-day sporting event”.

“I’ve made a lot of difficult calls … this is not one of them,” he said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday. (AAP Image/James Ross)

The announcement prompted a furious backlash from CGA and the Commonwealth Games Federation, who were told about the decision less than 12 hours before it was made public.

The shock move to abandon the Games meant it was almost certain the 2026 event would not be hosted in Australia. But its ongoing future is also now in doubt, with Victoria only announced last April after organisers faced trouble securing a host.

Countries including Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka and Canada had all shown interest in putting their hand up for the 2026 event but all failed to make a bid, with strong concerns over the cost of infrastructure upgrades and economic benefit.

The lack of potential host cities means the event could be cancelled for 2026 – the first time since World War II.

But Mr Philips said the costs quoted by Mr Andrews came as a surprise to the CGA and the CGF, and “the detailed budgetary implications announced today have not been sighted or discussed with the CGF or CGA ahead of being notified of the government’s decision”.

He also said the latest costs presented to the CGA in June were less than half of the $7 billion quoted by Mr Andrews, and the CGA would “welcome the opportunity to review the financial analysis prepared independently of those who have been involved at the coal face of planning and delivery.”

“The multi-city model for delivering Victoria 2026 was an approach proposed by the Victorian Government,” Mr Phillips said.

“It was pitched to the CGF after CGA had sought interest to host the Games from several states. They did not step in as hosts at the last minute, as indicated by the Premier earlier today.”

Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips speaks to media during a press conference in Melbourne on Tuesday. (AAP Image/James Ross)

Mr Phillips said the decision to cancel the games is a “comprehensive let down” for athletes, host communities, First Nations Australians, and millions of fans.

“The announcement made by the Victorian Government today is beyond disappointing,” he said.

Paralympic gold medallist and 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Rowan Crothers said the abrupt cancellation of the 2026 event could have a devastating impact on inclusion in sport.

He said if the competition did not survive it would hurt athletes with disabilities, who would have fewer chances to compete on an equal billing with able-bodied athletes.

“The Commonwealth Games is the biggest major international competition that features athletes with a disability alongside able-bodied athletes,” he wrote on Twitter.

“A great opportunity to raise awareness for disabled sport … seeing the Games cancelled will suck for the state of inclusion.”

Crothers, who has cerebral palsy, burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old when he won the 100m freestyle S9 gold medal at the 2014 Glasgow Games.

He said the competition carried more significance than the Paralympics for many athletes with disabilities due to the more equal recognition.

“For some athletes, a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games means more than a gold medal at the Paralympics – it’s not just a similar level, it’s the exact same thing the able-bods get,” he said. “Recognition and equality can mean more than achievement.”

And Australia’s most decorated swimmer Emma McKeon also paid tribute to the crucial role the Commonwealth Games had played in her career, as the country’s highest-profile athletes hope the event remains viable.

McKeon, who holds a record 14 Commonwealth Games gold medals – more than any athlete in any sport – said it was disappointing to hear Victoria had withdrawn as host of the 2026 Games given the special place the event held in her journey.

The swimmer competed in her first Commonwealth Games in 2014 on the same team as her brother David, while parents Ron and Susie (nee Woodhouse) and uncle Rob Woodhouse also took part in the event in the pool.

“The Commonwealth Games have given me so many great memories and have provided some of the best experiences of my life,” McKeon said. “They have been a huge part in helping me to get to the levels I have in swimming, and a home Games also gives the opportunity to inspire young Aussies to go after their dreams.”

Mr Andrews said the cost of breaking the contract had not yet been determined, with meetings between Victorian and CGF officials in London ongoing.

“It would be bad faith and frankly against the interest of taxpayers and all Victorians if I was to try and conduct that negotiation from the other side of the world at a press conference,” he said.

Outgoing Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games chief executive Jeroen Weimar travelled to Geelong on Tuesday to begin disbanding the Games’ organising committee.

“It’s a disappointment to us that we can’t find a way through to delivering the hopes and vision that we had for the Games at a cost that is affordable to Victorians,” he said.

The government confirmed every permanent new and upgraded sporting infrastructure projects planned as part of the Games will still proceed, plus an additional $1bn to deliver more than 1300 new homes across regional Victoria.

Asked if the decision to cancel the games was embarrassing for Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the decision was made by the state government.

“We’re hosting the Olympics in South East Queensland of course in 2032 and Australia has a fine record of hosting events,” he said.

Originally published as Fury follows Victoria’s last-minute move to ditch Comm Games