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Topic Originator: GG741
Date: Wed 19 Jul 06:38
The state of Victoria in Australia agreed some time ago to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, to stage the Games in five regional centres and involve 21 sports. That has now been cancelled by the state, and the majority of other states / cities in Australia have indicated they are not willing to host.
Apparently officials in Scotland are considering stepping in to host the games, but it may be aligned with Commonwealth Games organisers recommendations to consider only a dozen sports in a modified, cheaper, program.
Whilst some may consider the Commonwealth Games irrelevant in these times of professional athletes participation and competing economic priorities, the Games does allow for participation by athletes from a lot of smaller countries, as well as for Scottish athletes to compete under their own flag.
I assume that either of Glasgow or Edinburgh could host the games, with existing infrastructure?
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Wed 19 Jul 08:42
Every competing country to share the costs on a pro rate basis - linked to the number of athletes they send ?
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Wed 19 Jul 10:10
I`ve just been listening to a phone-in about this on Radio Scotland. I would say the majority view was that this should not be contemplated whilst the country was in the midst of an economic crisis.
Two things occurred to me - (1) I don`t remember any such debate about holding the recent Coronation; (2) would the decision be considered to be a devolved issue or could Westminster step in and scupper it if they disagreed with it?
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Topic Originator: Playup_Pompey
Date: Wed 19 Jul 12:36
Given I know a couple of folks who have recently run the qualifying times i`d love for the games to go ahead and they get chance at such a showcase event.
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Topic Originator: OzPar
Date: Wed 19 Jul 15:18
The decision to cancel the Commonwealth Games here has brought into sharp focus the value of hosting major events. The event was cancelled when an assessment of likely costs showed major blowouts on the original estimates, putting the bill for the two-week event at just over $6 billion—an utterly ridiculous price.
You would struggle to find a city with better existing sporting facilities than Melbourne, so why the cost blowout?
Firstly, the decision to host several events in regional centres, meaning new facilities. But these would mostly be temporary; there would be very few legacy benefits from the event.
Secondly, security and administration costs are off the scale these days. And then there is the fundamental question of the future of the Commonwealth itself.
But whether it is the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics, the World Cup, etc., so much of it is all just fluff. The actual competition seems to take second place to meaningless events like opening and closing ceremonies.
And instead of adding new sports, they should pare them down to a core set of established events. Until the 1990s, we had ten sports and 2,500 competitors; now, we have 20 sports and 5,000 competitors.
The whole thing has got out of hand.
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Topic Originator: jake89
Date: Wed 19 Jul 19:06
£6bn?! It was less than a 10th of that to have it in Glasgow!
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Topic Originator: Jeffery
Date: Wed 19 Jul 19:50
Think that`s Australia dollars which are about twice as much as the pound, so $6bn Oz dollars is £3bn. Still a ridiculous sum.
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Topic Originator: Par
Date: Thu 20 Jul 10:19
Perhaps looking at sharing events across a country or group of countries using facilities already in place is the answer. That would mean less investment and more opportunities for people to watch the events.
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Topic Originator: Luxembourg Par
Date: Thu 20 Jul 14:44
Sharing the events across the region was the problem, not the solution.
Melbourne would easily have all the required venues already in place, but the determination to spread the events across the state would result in the massive increase in costs.
The Commonwealth games is a great opportunity for athletes from smaller countries to participate, compete, and maybe even win a medal.
I would be sad to see it go.
Where else do you see a team of athletes representing Scotland, and other small nations like Zimbabwe, Singapore, Trinidad, Zambia, Mauritius, Guernsey and Jersey not only compete, but have the chance of a medal?
Post Edited (Thu 20 Jul 14:46)
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Topic Originator: JTH123
Date: Thu 20 Jul 18:31
Quote:
Luxembourg Par, Thu 20 Jul 14:44
Sharing the events across the region was the problem, not the solution.
Melbourne would easily have all the required venues already in place, but the determination to spread the events across the state would result in the massive increase in costs.
The Commonwealth games is a great opportunity for athletes from smaller countries to participate, compete, and maybe even win a medal.
I would be sad to see it go.
Where else do you see a team of athletes representing Scotland, and other small nations like Zimbabwe, Singapore, Trinidad, Zambia, Mauritius, Guernsey and Jersey not only compete, but have the chance of a medal?
Can`t disagree with any of that. On a much smaller scale I was at a few events at the Island Games in Guernsey last week. The vast majority of the facilities were existing and the athletes from the 24 competing islands like Anglesey, Menorca, Orkney etc did themselves proud as did the Guernsey volunteers.
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Topic Originator: GG741
Date: Fri 21 Jul 02:08
Not on quite the same scale, but the Pacific Games are coming up in late November, this time in the Solomon Islands (or more specifically, Honiara).
Teams from 24 nations are expected to participate, with 24 sports across 11 venues (all located within a 30 minute travel maximum).
China is funding and building a lot of the infrastructure. New facilities include an aquatic centre, a multi-sport centre (for netball, boxing, volleyball), and a new main stadium. Renovations/upgrades are also included, for a hockey field and for the tennis centre. All other venues are existing.
Keeping it centralised and focussed seems to have been successful (so far).
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Topic Originator: dover par
Date: Fri 21 Jul 10:28
Our current Government couldn`t organise a raffle without it being delayed, over budget,
Scaled down and not forgetting covered in political scandal!
"Pressure is something you feel when you don't know what the hell you're doing."
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Fri 21 Jul 10:32
What`s HS2 got to do with the Commonwealth Games possibly being held in Scotland?
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Topic Originator: doctordandruff
Date: Fri 21 Jul 18:35
The national stadium of our national sport is a toilet that we cant afford to improve, yet let`s chuck millions again at a bunch of minority sports that will give no benefit to the country. Sounds great
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Topic Originator: donj
Date: Fri 21 Jul 19:02
Still got my pass from 1986 games in Edinburgh.Even had a P on it but wife refused to let me go to the after games party.
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Sat 22 Jul 12:57
Quote:
doctordandruff, Fri 21 Jul 18:35
The national stadium of our national sport is a toilet that we cant afford to improve, yet let`s chuck millions again at a bunch of minority sports that will give no benefit to the country. Sounds great
Golf has a National stadium??????
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Topic Originator: The One Who Knocks
Date: Sat 22 Jul 19:40
Golf? Home of golf yes but it`s not the national sport.
And although my eyes were open
They just might as well be closed
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Sat 22 Jul 20:46
Quote:
The One Who Knocks, Sat 22 Jul 19:40
Golf? Home of golf yes but it`s not the national sport.
A few people do argue that Shinty is the national sport right enough......
Football, that`s just the most popular but not the national sport
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Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Sat 22 Jul 21:12
Whatever our national sport is, it`s rather dismissive to describe the Commonwealth Games as `a bunch of minority sports that will give no benefit to the country`. Athletes are prepared to spend a lot of time and effort for the opportunity to represent Scotland at these Games, many of them amateurs in the true sense of the word. They often speak of being inspired to do so by seeing previous generations taking part.
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Sat 22 Jul 21:30
Quote:
wee eck, Sat 22 Jul 21:12
Whatever our national sport is, it`s rather dismissive to describe the Commonwealth Games as `a bunch of minority sports that will give no benefit to the country`. Athletes are prepared to spend a lot of time and effort for the opportunity to represent Scotland at these Games, many of them amateurs in the true sense of the word. They often speak of being inspired to do so by seeing previous generations taking part.
Absolutely, the amount of hours that some of these guys put themselves through can be staggering, and the amount of money that they have fork out is scandalous in some cases.
So the opportunity to be able to perform their efforts on a world stage should be supported
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Sun 23 Jul 13:46
"So the opportunity to be able to perform their efforts on a world stage should be supported"
Hardly a world stage.
Or there would be numerous countries showing an appetite to host.
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Sun 23 Jul 14:28
Quote:
veteraneastender, Sun 23 Jul 13:46
"So the opportunity to be able to perform their efforts on a world stage should be supported"
Hardly a world stage.
Or there would be numerous countries showing an appetite to host.
An internationally stage suit the narrative better ??
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Sun 23 Jul 16:59
Any competition between two or more countries constitutes an international event.
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Sun 23 Jul 17:41
Quote:
veteraneastender, Sun 23 Jul 16:59
Any competition between two or more countries constitutes an international event.
So you`re ok with me phrasing it as an opportunity on the international stage ??
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Sun 23 Jul 22:16
A restricted international stage.
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Mon 24 Jul 06:36
Quote:
veteraneastender, Sun 23 Jul 22:16
A restricted international stage.
So a competition with 2 or more countries is a restricted international event ?
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Mon 24 Jul 09:08
It’s restricted to eligible countries.
Otherwise any nation so inclined could participate.
The Commonwealth Games are past their use by date.
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Topic Originator: doctordandruff
Date: Mon 24 Jul 09:21
I`m really not sure if we should be spending millions of pounds of Scottish taxpayers money to help an Australian long jumper perfom at an international tournament..think I`d prefer it to go towards giving the hundreds of thousands of football fans that would use the national stadium the chance to watch in a state of the art arena.
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Mon 24 Jul 10:35
Quote:
veteraneastender, Mon 24 Jul 09:08
It’s restricted to eligible countries.
Otherwise any nation so inclined could participate.
The Commonwealth Games are past their use by date.
Thanks for your opinion....
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Mon 24 Jul 10:39
Quote:
doctordandruff, Mon 24 Jul 09:21
I`m really not sure if we should be spending millions of pounds of Scottish taxpayers money to help an Australian long jumper perfom at an international tournament..think I`d prefer it to go towards giving the hundreds of thousands of football fans that would use the national stadium the chance to watch in a state of the art arena.
Thanks for your blinkered response...
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Topic Originator: Luxembourg Par
Date: Mon 24 Jul 14:36
Quote:
veteraneastender, Mon 24 Jul 09:08
It’s restricted to eligible countries.
Otherwise any nation so inclined could participate.
The Commonwealth Games are past their use by date.
I assume that you also object to the European Championships? Copa America? African Cup?
All are restricted to ‘eligible countries’.
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Mon 24 Jul 15:54
They are geographically restricted - the CGs are a relic of a far flung long gone Empire.
"Thanks for your opinion.... "
Reciprocated.
Opinions differ, it`s the nature of a discussion forum.
Post Edited (Mon 24 Jul 16:09)
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Topic Originator: Luxembourg Par
Date: Mon 24 Jul 17:22
still are ‘restricted’.
Quote:
veteraneastender, Mon 24 Jul 15:54
They are geographically restricted - the CGs are a relic of a far flung long gone Empire.
Not so.
Not all countries that were in the empire are in the Commonwealth, similarly, not all countries in the Commonwealth were part of the British Empire.
Anyway, who are you to decry a popular athletics gathering?
So, it’s not the World Championships - so what?
My daughter recently represented Lux in the JPEE (Games of the small states of Europe).
They are also restricted (by population).
In your opinion, these should be cancelled too?
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Mon 24 Jul 17:32
Quote:
veteraneastender, Mon 24 Jul 15:54
They are geographically restricted - the CGs are a relic of a far flung long gone Empire.
"Thanks for your opinion.... "
Reciprocated.
Opinions differ, it`s the nature of a discussion forum.
Yes, I`m sure that`s why the thousands of sportspeople work for hours to try and qualify for what they think could be the pinnacle of their career...
` I`ll show those oppressors who is the best`
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Mon 24 Jul 17:34
Quote:
Luxembourg Par, Mon 24 Jul 17:22
still are ‘restricted’.
Quote:
veteraneastender, Mon 24 Jul 15:54
They are geographically restricted - the CGs are a relic of a far flung long gone Empire.
Not so.
Not all countries that were in the empire are in the Commonwealth, similarly, not all countries in the Commonwealth were part of the British Empire.
Anyway, who are you to decry a popular athletics gathering?
So, it’s not the World Championships - so what?
My daughter recently represented Lux in the JPEE (Games of the small states of Europe).
They are also restricted (by population).
In your opinion, these should be cancelled too?
Congratulations Lux, thats fantastic
As a parent of a child who managed to represent their country at some `restricted ` international events, I know how proud you must have been
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Topic Originator: doctordandruff
Date: Mon 24 Jul 17:55
Quote:
alwaysaPar, Mon 24 Jul 10:39
Quote:
doctordandruff, Mon 24 Jul 09:21
I`m really not sure if we should be spending millions of pounds of Scottish taxpayers money to help an Australian long jumper perfom at an international tournament..think I`d prefer it to go towards giving the hundreds of thousands of football fans that would use the national stadium the chance to watch in a state of the art arena.
Thanks for your blinkered response...
Eh?
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Mon 24 Jul 18:10
Quote:
doctordandruff, Mon 24 Jul 17:55
Quote:
alwaysaPar, Mon 24 Jul 10:39
Quote:
doctordandruff, Mon 24 Jul 09:21
I`m really not sure if we should be spending millions of pounds of Scottish taxpayers money to help an Australian long jumper perfom at an international tournament..think I`d prefer it to go towards giving the hundreds of thousands of football fans that would use the national stadium the chance to watch in a state of the art arena.
Thanks for your blinkered response...
Eh?
👍
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Mon 24 Jul 20:18
"Anyway, who are you to decry a popular athletics gathering?
So, it’s not the World Championships - so what?"
See 19th July 8:42.
If countries want a CG - let them share the cost on an equitable basis.
Seems reasonable ?
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Topic Originator: Luxembourg Par
Date: Mon 24 Jul 23:18
Quote:
veteraneastender, Mon 24 Jul 20:18
If countries want a CG - let them share the cost on an equitable basis.
Seems reasonable ?
Do the contributing countries then get a return or share of the money raised/contributed?
Reports state that the 2022 games in Birmingham cost £778m.
Reports afterwards were that the Games “contributed at least £870m to the U.K. economy”
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Tue 25 Jul 07:56
Quote:
Luxembourg Par, Mon 24 Jul 23:18
Quote:
veteraneastender, Mon 24 Jul 20:18
If countries want a CG - let them share the cost on an equitable basis.
Seems reasonable ?
Do the contributing countries then get a return or share of the money raised/contributed?
Reports state that the 2022 games in Birmingham cost £778m.
Reports afterwards were that the Games “contributed at least £870m to the U.K. economy”
I suspect U.K. economy means the English Midlands ?
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Topic Originator: Luxembourg Par
Date: Tue 25 Jul 09:36
Quote:
veteraneastender, Tue 25 Jul 07:56
I suspect U.K. economy means the English Midlands ?
Your point being?
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Tue 25 Jul 10:10
"Your point being?"
How much of the 2022 CG income made it`s way into the "UK economy" of Dunfermline, for example.
A nice little earner for businesses in and around Birmingham and the Midlands etc.
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Topic Originator: The One Who Knocks
Date: Tue 25 Jul 10:17
Surely that increase in trade will result in higher tax receipts?
And although my eyes were open
They just might as well be closed
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Topic Originator: Luxembourg Par
Date: Tue 25 Jul 11:04
Quote:
veteraneastender, Tue 25 Jul 10:10
"Your point being?"
How much of the 2022 CG income made it`s way into the "UK economy" of Dunfermline, for example.
A nice little earner for businesses in and around Birmingham and the Midlands etc.
How much of your proposed contribution from participating countries would be donated to Dunfermline?
You’re being ridiculous now.
I can only guess that you’re complaining about U.K. taxes being used?
(75% of cost was covered by U.K. govt, 25% by Birmingham City Council)
Assuming that - as in your proposal - Scotland would need to pay for Scottish athletes entering the games, where is your savings?
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Tue 25 Jul 15:04
"I can only guess that you’re complaining about U.K. taxes being used?
(75% of cost was covered by U.K. govt, 25% by Birmingham City Council)"
Does that UK government 75% include taxation from Scotland ?
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Topic Originator: Luxembourg Par
Date: Tue 25 Jul 16:15
Quote:
veteraneastender, Tue 25 Jul 15:04
"I can only guess that you’re complaining about U.K. taxes being used?
(75% of cost was covered by U.K. govt, 25% by Birmingham City Council)"
Does that UK government 75% include taxation from Scotland ?
No idea where you’re going with this.
I have no idea and couldn’t care less about the fiscal split of U.K. taxes by the U.K. government into amounts received by constituent countries.
If you have such a formula and knowledge, I’m sure the SNP would be interested to know.
Simple misdirection and obfuscation - are you a Tory?
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Tue 25 Jul 16:30
The Glasgow games were funded without UK taxation, so I would like to think the Birmingham event did not receive an element of taxes derived from north of the border.
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Topic Originator: Luxembourg Par
Date: Tue 25 Jul 16:47
So your objection to an athletics gathering in various countries is based on the differing funding of previous events in the U.K. only?
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Tue 25 Jul 16:57
So it`s OK for UK taxation (which includes Wales, NI and Scotland) to fund an event in England - but when it`s held in Scotland the funding burden falls on the devolved government ?
It`s not the Olympics where all 4 home countries are under the same umbrella.
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Topic Originator: Luxembourg Par
Date: Tue 25 Jul 17:08
Just so we are clear - you’re not actually against the “past it’s sell by date” games that are a “relic of a far flung long gone empire”, you just want to whinge about the potential of some taxes being spent on them?
Cool story bro.
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Tue 25 Jul 18:38
Both.
Fraternal greetings.
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Tue 25 Jul 19:01
Quote:
veteraneastender, Tue 25 Jul 18:38
Both.
Fraternal greetings.
Cheery bloke.......
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Topic Originator: parathletic
Date: Fri 4 Aug 12:03
Alberta pulled out of a bid to host the 2030 event as the estimated cost was £1.5 billion.There are currently no other bids to host it.
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Topic Originator: red-star-par
Date: Fri 4 Aug 14:25
The commonwealth is dead. A relic of the days when the butchers apron was flown in distant colonies while the UK raped and pillaged their natural resources, for the benefit of the few, rather than the many.
It`s about time this event was consigned to the dustbin of history
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Topic Originator: Luxembourg Par
Date: Fri 4 Aug 19:50
In your opinion.
Fortunately most are still in favour, and given that another two countries joined last year, still popular across the world.
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Topic Originator: OzPar
Date: Fri 4 Aug 22:35
Lux, did you box in the Commonwealth Games?
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Topic Originator: Luxembourg Par
Date: Sat 5 Aug 08:19
Quote:
OzPar, Fri 4 Aug 22:35
Lux, did you box in the Commonwealth Games?
Nope, should have done, but that’s another whinge 🙃
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Topic Originator: Parboiled
Date: Sat 5 Aug 08:42
Never know , you could have faced the fearsome Pat McGubbin from NI..
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Topic Originator: alwaysaPar
Date: Sat 5 Aug 18:00
Quote:
Parboiled, Sat 5 Aug 08:42
Never know , you could have faced the fearsome Pat McGubbin from NI..
Tit
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