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The Commonwealth Games must survive or dire consequences will follow
Glasgow 2026 delivered another striking reminder why the Commonwealth Games, contrary to what the cynics say, absolutely matter.
They are an important fixture that must stand the test of time beyond 2030, when the ‘Friendly Games’ will head to India. At this stage, though, there are no guarantees, and as we saw with Victoria’s controversial decision to abandon them, finding good hosts is becoming increasingly difficult.
Silver medallist Jessica Hull, gold medallist Abbey Caldwell and bronze medallist Claudia Hollingsworth after the women’s mile in Glasgow. Michael Steele/Getty Images.
As Australian sports fans, there’s a strong argument we should be worried about a future without the Commonwealth Games.
Disagree? Consider these five reasons.
A chance to inspire the next generation
Let’s relive that epic women’s mile podium sweep.
The sight of Abbey Caldwell, Jessica Hull and Claudia Hollingsworth storming down the home straight to claim gold, silver and bronze on the final day of the athletics was truly breathtaking.
And the heroics of that star trio will have a generational impact, sure to be felt at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and beyond.
Hundreds of thousands of young girls, and boys, would have watched that watershed moment from their living rooms in Australia and felt inspired to follow in their footsteps.
Caldwell and co. were once young girls running around grass tracks in the suburbs. They are now fabulous role models.
A key fixture in Olympic cycle
If you want Australia’s athletes to smash it at the Olympics but think the Commonwealth Games are a waste of time, money and resources, think about an athlete like Cameron Myers.
The middle-distance prodigy will be far better placed to medal at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 because of his experience in Glasgow, where he picked up silver in the men’s mile behind world record holder Josh Kerr.
As the Myers camp acknowledges, rolling up at one-day meets and running fast in races with pacemakers is one thing. Navigating the rounds of a championship, and the often slow, tactical and argy-bargy style of championship racing, is quite another.
So, too, showing up after a lousy night’s sleep in an uncomfortable bed at the athletes’ village and a crammed bus ride to the venue.
Before Cathy Freeman won Olympic gold in Sydney in 2000, she won Commonwealth gold in 1990 and 1994. She didn’t compete at the 1998 Commonwealth Games due to injury.
Australia’s Cameron Myers racing world record holder Josh Kerr in the men’s mile final. AP Photo/Kin Cheung.
Athletes get exposure to brands
It’s no secret most Olympic athletes are strapped for cash.
The Commonwealth Games give those athletes a platform to market themselves to potential sponsors, or boost their currency with partners they may already have.
“We are grateful to have you in the Hydralyte family,” the hydration brand posted on Instagram after Lachie Kennedy’s record-breaking 9.85-second run for silver.
Swimmer Meg Harris stepped out of the shadows of her higher-profile Dolphins teammates in Glasgow, reeling in six gold medals including two individual titles.
Dozens of brands are sure to have taken notice.
Olympic athletes don’t make the big bucks of NRL and AFL players. They only get limited opportunities to showcase why they deserve more.
Lachlan Kennedy and his newly minted Australian record. Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images.
Empowerment for para athletes
The Commonwealth Games are unique in that they mesh para sport in with able-bodied sport – and that is empowering for para athletes.
Para cyclist Tara Neyland won gold on the velodrome moments after Alyssa Polites. Para swimmer Timothy Hodge won gold in the pool just before Cameron McEvoy. As Jemima Montag was charging to race walking gold, para shot putter Matt Sheppard was at work in the field.
Para cyclist Tara Neyland celebrates winning gold on the velodrome. Molly Darlington/Getty Images.
Preserving history
The Commonwealth Games have delivered some of the great sporting moments – perhaps none more so than the ‘Miracle Mile’ of 1954.
England’s Sir Roger Bannister and Australia’s John Landy both broke four minutes in Vancouver – the first time the once-iconic barrier was broken by more than one runner in the same race.
In recognition of what was the blue-riband event at each Games between 1930 and 1966, the mile replaced the 1500 metres in Glasgow.
It would be a great shame if the Commonwealth Games, as rich in history as it is, were to die.
