Has the Commonwealth Games simply become too expensive?

First Durban in South Africa, now the Australian state of Victoria.

Both put their hands up to host the Commonwealth Games - and both found the costs too much to bear.

Durban, you may recall, was to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games but was stripped of hosting rights in 2017 after running into financial difficulties.

Then, today, the Victorian state government rescinded its offer to host the multi-sports event in 2026, saying the event was now too expensive.

The Commonwealth Games Federation said it received only eight hours’ notice of Victoria's withdrawal, which came fewer than 1000 days before the scheduled opening of the event, to be staged in several regional centres.

The London-based organisation said the Victorian government had made decisions “which have added considerable expense” - including introducing more sports, an additional regional hub, and changed venue plans.

These were “often against the advice” of the the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia, the CGF said in a statement.

The CGF called the decision "hugely disappointing" and said it is "committed to finding a solution". But finding a new host at such short notice will be difficult.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the new cost figure was "more than twice the estimated economic benefit" the event would bring to Victoria.

"I've made a lot of difficult calls, a lot of very difficult decisions in this job. This is not one of them," he told a press conference.

"That is all cost and no benefit."

Andrew said the government had considered "all options" including moving the games to Melbourne, before informing CGF of their decision.

Australia has hosted the Commonwealth Games five times with smaller and poorer nations unable to fund the costs of hosting the event.

Canada has hosted four Commonwealth Games and nine nations have hosted in all since 1930.

Two cities have hosted Commonwealth Games more than once: Auckland (1950, 1990) and Edinburgh (1970, 1986).

Now it is the event that no one wants to host. The Commonwealth Games, formerly the Empire Games are an anachronism. Loved by the competors but well past their use by date. 
 

Bread and circuses: Tasmania wants to host the Commonwealth Games

I will try to report this with a straight face.

Hobart and Launceston want to host or co-host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Tasmania does not have one single venue capable of holding 20,000 people. The main indoor arena in the state holds fewer than 5,000 people.

The state's infrastructure is groaning; hospitals and ambulances are under pressure, there are not enough police and no international flights. .

As someone who has covered several Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games dating back to Brisbane in 1982 I'm happy to declare this plan as crazy.

Here is a nod and a wink from Matilda (above). At best, Tasmania could perhaps host a couple of sports, maybe lawn bowls, badminton, or road cycling.

I'm pretty sure Premier Peter Gutwein and his team have no idea of the infrastructure needed to put on an event like the Commonwealth Games, which will attract athletes and officials from up to 72 nations.

Over 5,000 athletes compete at the Commonwealth Games in around 15 different sports and more than 250 events. Plus officials, plus media, plus spectators from around the globe.

Where would they all stay in Tasmania? In tents beside the River Derwent, perhaps?

Birmingham in England was the 2026 host, but was then awarded the 2022 Games after Durban in South Africa was stripped of the rights because of glacial infrastructure progress.

The reasons for Gutwein and Sports Minister Jane Howlett putting their hands up to be noticed are many. But mainly just to be noticed.

Commonwealth Games host cities saw an increase in tourism by up to 25% four years after hosting the games, a recent report found. That is a bonus.

But the Games don't come cheap, and the cost of staging them would be in the hundreds of millions.

Tasmania would need federal money to help construct suitable venues - and four years is simply not enough time.

Gutwein said today he had written to the chief executive of Commonwealth Games Australia, Craig Phillips, formally requesting that Tasmania be given consideration as a host for the event.

Sports Minister Howlett said the state was ready to make the most of the opportunity.

"Our government is committed to delivering more elite sporting content for Tasmanians to enjoy - and importantly, provide pathways for local sportsmen, women and children," she said.

Howlett said the state government would even consider Tasmania co-hosting the event.

"We are confident that we can work collaboratively with Commonwealth Games Australia on the opportunities Tasmania presents as either a host or co-host," she said.

Tasmania has recently pushed for entry into the AFL and the A-League, but lacks suitable stadia. So co-hosting a couple of events is the most Tasmania could hope for.

Australia last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2018 on the Gold Coast.

When too much sport is not enough: Birmingham is calling

With the Covid Olympics well underway in Tokyo, there is good news for fans anxious  about their next multi sports fix. 

The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, are just 12 months away. 

Birmingham, for those not familiar with the West Midlands city, is the second-largest conurbation in Britain - ahead of both Glasgow and Manchester.

Sports-wise it is known for under-achieving football teams like Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City, so locals in the Black Country are probably already looking forward to a gold medal or two. 

The multi-million-dollar construction of Alexander Stadium (above) is on track, thanks for the pun Visit Britain, and visitors will get to see first-hand a city that has been transformed from industrial hub to a "futuristic city". 

Locals highlights include  the dramatic Library of Birmingham and gleaming Bullring & Grand Central, which is described as (raising of eyebrows here) as "one of the most stylish shopping centres in the world". 

There is the revamped Grand Hotel (which has hosted everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Winston Churchill), and the restored Roundhouse, with a 19th-century curved building converted into a spectacular tourist destination.

For those so inclined (and I am definitely not) there is something called Bear Grylls Adeventure, an activities venue opened by someone who appears ion TV. Far more appeling is a Cadbury Factory Tour (the chocolate brand was born and bred in Birmingham). 

While Birmingham became famous for a tangled road network nicknamed Spaghetti Junction, the city harbours (another pun from Visit Britain) more kilometres of canals than Venice, with 56 kilometres of waterways. 

You can walk or cycle along the canal paths, or take a narrowboat tour. Or maybe check out some Peaky Blinders locations.

Birmingham has always seemed a little bleak when I've visited, but it does have a remarkable music history. 

Think of bands including The Move, Spencer Davis Group, The Moody Blues, Traffic, ELO, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Steel Pulse, UB40, Duran Duran, Fine Young Cannibals and Joan Armatrading - and half of Led Zeppelin (Plant and Bonham).

Non-musical regional highlights within easy distance from Brum include Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Worcester and more. 

For day trippers, Birmingham is just an hour and a half train ride from London. 

The Cotswolds are just down the road, and Oxford is nearby for those who don't give a jot about sport. 

Rev heads might like the British Motor Museum, the National Motorcycle Museum or a Jaguar factory tour a Castle Bromwich. 

Here is Visit Britain's Guide to 48 hours in Birmingham: www.visitbritain.com/au/en/48-hours-birmingham