The Commonwealth Flag is handed over to the Governor of Victoria Linda Dessau during the Closing Ceremony of the XXII Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. Photo: Photosport
The organisation responsible for the Commonwealth Games is blaming the Victorian State Government for the cost blow out its citing, for withdrawing the hosting the 2026 Games.
The Games were awarded to Victoria last year and were initially forecast to cost $2 billion, but Victoria Premier Dan Andrews says the real cost could be closer to $7 billion.
In a statement Commonwealth Sport (formerly Commonwealth Games Federation) said the figure is 50% more than those advised to the Organising Committee last month.
"Since awarding Victoria the Games, the Government has made decisions to include more sports and an additional regional hub, and changed plans for venues, all of which have added considerable expense, often against the advice of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA)," the statement said.
Commonwealth Sport said it was only given eight hours notice of the decision to withdraw and no consideration was given to discussing the situation to find a solution.
It remains committed to finding a venue for 2026.
In June Victoria was celebrating 1000 days to go until the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Photo: Commonwealth Games Federation
"This is hugely disappointing for the Commonwealth Sport Movement, for athletes around the Commonwealth and the Organising Committee who are well advanced in their planning and preparation."
"Up until this point, the Government had advised that sufficient funding was available to deliver the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.
"We are taking advice on the options available to us and remain committed to finding a solution for the Games in 2026 that is in the best interest of our athletes and the wider Commonwealth Sport Movement."
-RNZ