 "How a scaled down Commonwealth Games 2026 could affect India's medal count")
After months of question marks over its future, Commonwealth Games 2026 will go ahead and be held in Glasgow , Scotland. The Scottish city was given the go-ahead and backing it needed to host the Games. The future of the 2026 edition was thrown into doubt when the Australian state of Victoria, the original hosts, withdrew last year citing rising costs.
Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Chris Jenkins welcomed the announcement, paving way for a fourth Games in Scotland, with Edinburgh having staged the 1970 and 1986 editions and Glasgow in 2014.
But Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) announced in April it had developed a “cost-effective” plan to stage the Games in Glasgow and Scottish health secretary Neil Gray said last week: “I was pleased to write to Commonwealth Games Scotland today to inform them that the Scottish Government will give its support for the proposal.”
Gray said the government had conducted a “thorough assessment” of the CGS scheme. He added it would “help to support a new future for the Commonwealth Games and deliver economic and sporting opportunity for Scotland”.
How many sports will take place?
The latest edition of the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham in 2022, had 19 sports. The Glasgow organising team has said they will include just 10 sports in two year’s time. The CGF is hopeful of reaching a 13 sport compromise.
With official decision not made and no timeline on when it could be made, India could be significantly affected by a slimmed down Games. Shooting is likely to remain out of contention, wrestling is struggling to be included while there are doubts over sports like hockey and cricket.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAt the 2022 Commonwealth Games, India had won 61 medals, including 22 golds. Wrestling (12), weightlifting (10), athletics (8), boxing and table tennis (7 each) contributed the most to the tally.
If wrestling, hockey and cricket are indeed not included as speculated, and the country does as they did in Birmingham, then that is 15 medals conceded right at the offset.
Athletics and Swimming are guaranteed to feature as mandatory sports. Swimming is unlikely to contribute to India’s tally but athletics is a positive option. At Birmingham 2022, India clinched eight medals in athletics, including one gold. However, if Glasgow 2026 are held in July-August, it would clash with Diamond League events which could rule out the likes of Neeraj Chopra and Avinash Sable.
The proposed venues presented an idea of the sports that could be included. Organisers have said they will use four venues within an eight-mile radius to save on transport and security costs.
The Scotstoun Stadium will host athletics. It was the venue for squash and table tennis in 2014. Scotland’s National Badminton Centre is also located within the premises.
The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Tollcross are expected to host cycling and swimming, respectively, while indoor sports will be held at the Scotland Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), the country’s largest exhibition venue. SECC had hosted weightlifting, boxing, judo, wrestling, netball, and gymnastics a decade ago.
BBC reports The National Hockey Centre is not part of the venue plans. Meanwhile, The Guardian ruled out cricket being in the works for 2026 edition.
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