Eilish McColgan has backed the idea of the Commonwealth Games returning to Glasgow if organizers fail to find a host for 2026.
But Scotland’s Birmingham 2022 gold medalist insists the event must be “completely repackaged” to ensure its survival for years to come.
The 2026 edition is currently in limbo after Australian hosts Victoria pulled out last year citing rising costs, with Singapore and Malaysia both withdrawing from bailout bids.
The Commonwealth Games in Scotland have since offered to host a “scaled-down” version of the event in Glasgow, ten years after the Games were last held.
Golden moment: McColgan wins 10,000m gold in Birmingham two years ago
McColgan, who claimed victory in the 10,000 meters in Birmingham two years ago, admitted a return to Glasgow would be “amazing” for the city, but said its true value lay in its ability to inspire athletes who are just starting out on their competitive journey. .
“From a personal point of view, it would be amazing if Glasgow hosted another Commonwealth Games,” the 33-year-old said.
“Think about the World Indoor Athletics Championships, which took place in Glasgow in March.
It was simply incredible. There were athletes from all over the world saying what an amazing city Glasgow was, so that’s really great to hear.
“To see the same atmosphere as at Glasgow 2014 again would be pretty special.
“The Commonwealth Games provide a real springboard for a number of athletes, particularly younger ones.
For the women I support with my athletic scholarships, it’s also important.
In all their applications they say they want to one day compete in the Commonwealth Games. This is what we dream of when we are young.
“Representing your country at the Olympics seems a little too complicated for some people.
Eilish McColgan celebrates with her mother Liz after winning gold at the 2022 Games
Even for me when I was young, representing Scotland seemed like something I might be able to do.
“It’s about gaining confidence and then saying you want to go to the European Championships, the World Championships and the Olympics.
You start to dream much bigger. It’s hard to dream “big” from a young age in Scotland, if you’re a little girl from a small town.
It’s an important stepping stone for a lot of people, so I think we need to keep the Games going.
McColgan, however, fears the costs of hosting the Commonwealth Games could become prohibitive in the future and she believes radical changes need to be made.
Commonweath Games Scotland (CGS) insists they could hold an event in two years, with costs estimated at between £130 million and £150 million.
They claim no significant strain would be placed on public funds due to existing £100m funding from the Commonwealth Games Federation.
The remaining £30m to £50m would be funded “primarily through commercial revenue”, including ticketing, sponsorship and broadcasting.
Fireworks light up the sky during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
Although the CGS proposal is innovative, fears remain that the costs to the public purse will be higher than has already been anticipated – and it is unclear how much would need to be spent on policing, for example. example.
“The cost of the Games has spiraled out of control,” McColgan said. “Every other country says they can’t host it, and the costs are just insane.”
“What CGS has suggested – a scaled-down version using existing facilities wherever possible and placing athletes in university housing – it all makes perfect sense.
“We now need to reduce costs as much as possible. It shouldn’t cost a huge amount of money, it’s just not sustainable.
We need to look at a Commonwealth Games differently.
I think it should be completely repackaged into a more viable option, so that countries like Malaysia and countries in Africa can also host it.
It would be fantastic to be able to move it to different countries rather than staying in the UK all the time.
A final decision on the host country is expected to be made in May by the Commonwealth Games Federation, which says it is considering “several” proposals.
