UK sports minister hopes Aussie city will pick up Games baton dropped by Victoria

Britain’s Sports Minister has said he hopes Australia will come up with an alternative proposal to stage the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the shock withdrawal of host Victoria.

UK Sports Minister Stuart Andrew. Picture: Twitter

Britain’s Sports Minister has said he hopes Australia will come up with an alternative proposal to stage the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the shock withdrawal of host Victoria.

Stuart Andrew has encouraged another Australian city to step up and fill the void following the “extremely disappointing news” that Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews had abandoned the state’s regional Games.

Mr Andrew will be in Australia next week to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup, support England’s team the Lionesses, and meet political counterparts, during which discussions about the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be front of mind.

So too will be pressure from 35 nations – including Britain and Australia – on the International Olympic Committee to ensure Vladimir Putin cannot use next year’s Paris Olympic Games as a propaganda tool.

Mr Andrew stopped short of suggesting that another Australian city or region should be ­responsible for hosting the next Commonwealth Games. That decision is up to the Australian Commonwealth Games Association and the overarching body, the London-based Commonwealth Games Federation.

But he stressed how the ­Birmingham edition last year was such a success, not just financially. He said the Games came in under budget and had galvanised morale, insisting Australia could benefit in the same way.

“The value of the Games is amazing; the feedback that I’ve had from members of parliament in the West Midlands area has been phenomenal,’’ he said.

“They’ve seen a real boost. it lifted the soul, if you like, of Birmingham and the wider region. The economic benefits brought in about €800m ($1.5bn) and we would encourage you to see it as a great opportunity for growth and also for participation in sport.’’

It is not lost on the minister that the Commonwealth Games is, for many small Pacific nations, bigger in status than the Olympics because they have a medal chance and it fosters local heroes.

“I think just the lessons that we’ve learned and the experiences that we’ve had demonstrate that it’s well worth doing,’’ he said. “And it’s great that it brings countries from right across the globe together in celebration of sport. It’s something I really hope there will be a resolution to.’’

Fireworks during the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. UK Sports Minister Stuart Andrew is stressing how last year’s event was a success Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

As for next year’s Paris Olympics, Mr Andrew, 51, stressed that the Kremlin and Mr Putin could not use the Games as a way of legitimising the invasion of Ukraine. It follows the IOC last week describing the West’s opposition to Russian and Belarusian participation as “deplorable’’.

But Mr Andrew said: “We’re very clear that individual athletes from Russia and Belarus can compete so long as they prove their neutrality, and they are not sponsored by the state or have military links. I think that’s fair.

“I think what often gets forgotten in all of this is why we’re doing it. The people of Ukraine are suffering. And I see this daily because I’ve got a Ukrainian family living with me. They want to be in their home. They want to see their athletes competing, but the facilities have been bombed there. A lot of their athletes are having to fight on the front lines, so they can’t train.”

Meanwhile, Mr Andrew said he would continue the tradition of British and Australian sports ministers betting on their countries to win at major events.

“I will happily bet on England winning,” he said. “I am confident where my money will be going. I’m confident on the return.”

The Lionesses, the European champions, have led a breakthrough for women’s sporting participation, coverage and interest across Britain and are considered one of the hot favourites to win the World Cup.