Commonwealth Games at a Crossroads

(ATR) As the Gold Coast celebrates one year to go until the next Commonwealth Games, the underlying question remains as to the future of the multi-sport event in the wake of Durban losing their hosting rights for 2022.

Durban won the rights to host the Games back in 2015, running unopposed – but in March this year it was revealed that the South African city did not have the budget to produce the event required by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

The prohibitive cost of hosting a multi-sport event is an issue which is being felt globally, with the IOC feeling the pinch as fewer cities put up their hands to host the Olympics and developing cities such as Rio suffering in the wake of their Games hosting.

As the head of the Commonwealth, Great Britain, takes its first steps to exit the European Union, familiarly known as ‘Brexit’, this momentous political move could in fact serve to strengthen the Commonwealth Games.

"In my opinion, Brexit has changed the Commonwealth," GC2018 Chairman Peter Beattie said.

"I believe that the Commonwealth Games is now more relevant than ever and it is sport – if these Games are a success – that can bring everyone together."

While the Commonwealth countries may strengthen their bond, the issue of cost remains and for the Games to continue into the future, it needs to be modeled into a format that can be hosted by cities outside of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom.

"There needs to be a Games in Africa. I really want Durban to host the Games. It’s not much of a Commonwealth Games if there can’t be a Games in Africa," Beattie said.

So for African Commonwealth nations and other countries such as Sri Lanka to realize their hopes of hosting the Games, steps must be taken to make this a reality.

One step which is in place but needs to be nurtured, is the transfer of intelligence from Games to Games.

"The Commonwealth Games Federation leads an extensive Transfer of Knowledge process to support future hosts and drive innovation, efficiencies, collaboration, integration and leadership," Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive Officer David Grevemberg said.

"We’ve no doubt the delivery and impact of GC2018 will be a huge source of information and inspiration for potential 2022 hosts and beyond."

Despite the existence of this Transfer of Knowledge, its effectiveness is in question, and there needs to be greater authenticity and context given to this knowledge in the next host city.

"A primary objective of Transformation 2022 is a new Games Delivery Partnership model to build on the Transfer of Knowledge program and maximize operational, financial and reputational outcomes from Games to Games," Grevemberg said.

"A fundamental ambition of this model is to develop the pipeline of aspiring hosts and ensure efficiency and effectiveness in our delivery of a world-class event with real community relevance that is both affordable and universally appealing."

With the host of 2022 still looming as the great unknown, the CGF has reportedly advised that cities have until April 28 to express their interest. With a number of cities in both England and Australia voicing their interest, a key difference will be in the fact that nations will be able to put forward more than one city as a proposal. A review team will then consider the options with a decision to follow.

It remains to be seen what the CGF will make allowances for to keep costs of bidding and hosting down and ensure that the Games continue to 2022 and beyond.

Written by Alice Wheelerin Gold Coast, Australia.

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