Emma McKeon pays tribute to role of Commonwealth Games in growing her career
One of Australia’s greatest athletes has joined the chorus of support for the continuation of the Commonwealth Games, highlighting its role in helping athletes chase their dreams.
Australia’s most decorated swimmer Emma McKeon has paid tribute to the crucial role the Commonwealth Games have played in her career as the country’s highest-profile athletes hope the event remains viable.
McKeon, who has won a record 14 Commonwealth Games gold medals – more than any athlete in any sport – said it was disappointing to hear the news Victoria had withdrawn as host of the 2026 Games given the special place the event held in her journey.
McKeon competed at 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.”
Diamonds squad member and Melbourne Vixens co-captain Kate Moloney said the decision to axe the Games was unfortunate but hoped a new host city could be found.
“We would have loved to have seen the Commonwealth Games in Victoria but we just love representing the green and gold and hopefully they can find a new host for that,” said Moloney, who played a pivotal role in helping Australia regain netball gold in Birmingham last year.
“I know the girls would have loved to have played in Australia in front of a home crowd.
“Hopefully they find a host nation and we’ll play wherever and look forward to that.”
As a sport hugely popular throughout the Commonwealth, netball has a special place at the Games, with the event one of two pinnacle events for the sport along with the World Cup.
“It’s a huge part of our calendar,” Moloney said.
“We look forward to the Commonwealth Games every four years. It’s one of our pinnacle events so we really hope that they can find a host.
“We saw in Birmingham how amazing the Commonwealth Games was there and what it really can do for cities.”
Recently retired cricketer Rachael Haynes, who helped Australia’s women cricketers win gold in Birmingham, said the sport had only just entered the multi-sport arena and it was a massive blow to lose the opportunity to play in Victoria.
“It was such an amazing event in the UK,” Haynes said.
“That was the thing that really struck me was just how much the community got behind it and what it did for the growth of cricket.
“If you look now 12 months down the track, we’ve got a whole Ashes series sold out in the white ball component for the women and that’s built off the momentum of events like the Commonwealth Games where different people are coming to watch the sport.
“I was really surprised to hear that news this morning and also sad to think that perhaps new people aren’t going to get exposed to cricket but more broadly, the athletes aren’t going to be able to participate in that event potentially.”
Haynes hopes the Games can continue as an event and that another Australian venue steps up to host.
“If you think about some of the sports that don’t necessarily have the same broadcast revenue that gets brought in, the same level of sponsorship, this is a huge moment for them to potentially pick up a new sponsor or get the public to get to know a new type of personality in Australian sport around the world.
“I’m really devastated for those sports and I suppose a bit concerned about what’s next for them if this is taken away.”
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