Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Glasgow steps in to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

First Prev 1 2 Next Last
Jah-Nhai Perinchief celebrates his bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Bermuda’s athletes face an anxious wait to find out if their sports will be included in a scaled-down Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026.

The Scottish city has agreed to step in and host the Games after the Australian state of Victoria, which was originally chosen to stage the event, decided to withdraw as a result of rising costs.

Glasgow’s rescue package comes at no cost to taxpayers with funding coming from compensation paid to the Commonwealth Games Federation after Victoria pulled out. The Australian authorities also promised "a multimillion pound investment" to help finalise the deal.

So while it is good news for Bermuda’s athletes that the next Commonwealth Games is set to go ahead, there is now an anxious wait to see exactly which sports will feature in Scotland in 2026, with the programme set to be stripped back to just ten sports from the usual 18.

Flora Duffy wins Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham in 2022 (David Davies/PA via AP)

Bermuda sent 17 athletes to the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 and picked up two medals, with Dame Flora Duffy winning gold in the triathlon and Jah-Nhai Perinchief picking up the bronze medal in the triple jump.

While the Games’ biggest sports such as track and field, swimming and cycling are unlikely to be affected by the decision to scale down the event, some of Bermuda’s athletes could well miss out on the chance to represent their country when the final make-up of the event is revealed.

There will also be no athlete’s village in Glasgow and any opening and closing ceremonies are also expected to be less glitzy than usual. Despite those cutbacks, Ian Reid, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said he was "delighted" with the decision.

“We have been clear from the outset that our Games concept for Glasgow 2026 aligns with the CGF's strategy to make the Games more accessible for future hosts, whilst ensuring that public funds are not required,” Reid told the British Broadcasting Corporation.

"Glasgow is one of the few cities in the Commonwealth that can deliver on time given its world-class facilities, experienced workforce and strong supply chain.

“This is a really exciting opportunity and we will be working hard over the coming days to bring the final pieces of the puzzle together.”

You must be Registered or to post comment or to vote.

Published September 17, 2024 at 11:06 am (Updated September 17, 2024 at 11:07 am)

Glasgow steps in to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

What you
Need to
Know
1. For a smooth experience with our commenting system we recommend that you use Internet Explorer 10 or higher, Firefox or Chrome Browsers. Additionally please clear both your browser's cache and cookies - How do I clear my cache and cookies?
2. Please respect the use of this community forum and its users.
3. Any poster that insults, threatens or verbally abuses another member, uses defamatory language, or deliberately disrupts discussions will be banned.
4. Users who violate the Terms of Service or any commenting rules will be banned.
5. Please stay on topic. "Trolling" to incite emotional responses and disrupt conversations will be deleted.
6. To understand further what is and isn't allowed and the actions we may take, please read our Terms of Service
7. To report breaches of the Terms of Service use the flag icon