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After Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews shocked the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and the world earlier this week with the decision to not host the CGF, other cities may be stepping up. Meanwhile, Andrews is facing a harsh political backlash.

Australian sporting icon, Raelene Boyle, slammed Premier Andrews over Victoria’s decision to dump the Commonwealth Games. “This is very embarrassing for the athletes, Victoria and for Australia, really,” shared Boyle. “Maybe it is time for Dan to be dumped as well,” added the seven-time Commonwealth Games and three-time Olympic medallist.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Tom Tate the mayor of the Gold Coast had pleaded for the opportunity to host. The Gold Coast hosted the 2018 Games with success. However, Queensland Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said it was “an emphatic no” on the state holding the Games. 

“I understand Tom’s enthusiasm. Tom’s enthusiasm is hard to repress,” said Hinchliffe at a press conference on Friday.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that she is focused only on hosting the 2032 Olympic Games.

It was also suggested that Birmingham, England, the host of the 2022 Games could step forward, however, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has urged Australia to “honour its commitment” to staging the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

As the hosting of the Games requires federal government support, even London’s mayor Sadiq Khan said that he would support the submission of a bid to host the 2026 edition but admitted any decision would rest with the British government and it’s providing financial support. Perhaps Australia’s largest and most diverse city Sydney or the sports capital Melbourne should look at hosting.

The Herald Scotland published an analysis titled 2026 Commonwealth Games: Could Scotland realistically host Games? The editorial suggests that Scotland could host again after having hosted the 2014 edition.

Apparently, the costs for Victoria were spiralling from the equivalent of $2.4 billion AUS to more than $6.3 billion AUS or $2.6 billion to more than $6 billion AUS. According to some, this is a sign of mismanagement.

The cancellation of the Games turned a few heads towards the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games but CEO Cindy Hook reassured that there will be no effect.

Hook told the Courier-Mail newspaper, “I’m absolutely focused on the budget, the organising committee will be self-funded.

Meanwhile, in Canada, Alberta Premier Joseph Schow made the comment Tuesday that the Canadian province is still considering the 2030 Games.

One thing for sure is that Andrews’s time as Premier is limited.

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