Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games flag Photo: Photosport
The Commonwealth Games Federation's president has endorsed Australia's offer of a multimillion-dollar to support Scottish city Glasgow's bid to host the games in 2026 after Australia's state of Victoria pulled out last year over cost concerns.
The quadrennial multi-sport event has struggled to find hosts, with Malaysia rejecting an offer to host the 2026 edition and Canada's Alberta withdrawing from hosting the event in 2030.
Glasgow, which also hosted the 2014 edition, stepped up as a back-up venue in April with Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) proposing a concept that slashed the event's budget to NZ$275-$320 million.
The scaled-down model will use existing sporting infrastructure for a core sport programme of 10-13 sports and will not ask for significant public funds, the CGS said.
"We commend Commonwealth Games Australia for making this generous offer," CGF President Chris Jenkins said in a statement, adding that the Glasgow model was different but innovative.
BBC Scotland reported a source close to the talks said: "In recent weeks, the Scottish government has probed and tested what it would look like for Scotland to host a scaled back Commonwealth Games.
"That has seen real progress. If we remain satisfied that the public purse won't have to be opened to pay for these games, the confidence is rising."
Last week, the UK government assured the Scottish government that no public money would be required to stage the games.
- Reuters / RNZ