Commonwealth Games cancellation would ‘suck’ for inclusion, says swimmer

A Commonwealth Games gold medallist swimmer says a group of athletes will be badly affected if the competition cannot survive.

Australian Paralympics gold medallist Rowan Crothers has hit out at the abrupt cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Sean Garnsworthy / AAP

A decorated Australian swimmer says the abrupt cancellation of the 2026 event in regional Victoria could have a devastating impact on inclusion in sport.

Two-time Paralympic gold medallist and 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Rowan Crothers says if the competition does not survive it will hurt athletes with disabilities, who will have fewer chances to compete on an equal billing with able-bodied athletes.

The decision announced by the Victorian government on Tuesday to cancel the 2026 Games due to significantly inflated costs could threaten the future of the event, with NSW Premier Chris Minns immediately ruling out a bid for Sydney to step in as host, along with rejections from WA and SA.

WA Premier Roger Cook said the Commonwealth Games were “ruinously expensive” to host after no cities stepped forward to take on the 2026 event for three years of bidding before Victoria agreed to host in April 2022.

Australian Paralympian Rowan Crothers says the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games would be a huge blow to athletes with disabilities. Picture: Naomi Baker / Getty Images

Crothers said a full cancellation of the Games would “suck for the state of inclusion” in sport.

“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.

the Commonwealth Games in 2014 was my second year on the Australian Swim Team & my first breakthrough international performance

good memories. glad I shaved my head. 🥰🥚 pic.twitter.com/F5t824qqR2

— Rowan Crothers OAM 🧲🧠 (@magnetbrain) July 18, 2023

“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.”

Hockey Australia chief executive David Pryles said the news was “incredibly disappointing” for national teams the Hockeyroos and the Kookaburras, who have won seven consecutive gold medals at the Games.

“Very rarely do we get an opportunity to host major sporting events within the Olympic and Commonwealth Games family and it’s an opportunity for our athletes to compete in front of family and friends when, the majority of the year, they’re competing overseas,” Pryles told Code Sports.