Athletics Australia says Andrews’ unapologetic manner made Games decision worse

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Then premier Daniel Andrews’ sudden and unapologetic announcement that the 2026 Commonwealth Games had been scrapped compounded the hurt and immeasurable damage the decision had on athletics, according to the sport’s governing body.

In its submission to the Victorian parliament’s Select Committee inquiry into the 2026 bid, Athletics Australia said the state government’s decision had damaged the sport, hurt athletes and jeopardised the concept of the Commonwealth Games.

Mackenzie Little (left) and Kelsey-Lee Barber took silver and gold in the women’s javelin at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.Credit: Getty Images

“The cancellation of Vic2026 has had, and continues to have, a devastating impact on our sport
and our athletes,” the submission said.

“The manner in which the news of the cancellation was delivered further compounded the angst, with the then premier of Victoria [Andrews] stating that he made no apology for cancelling the Games to instead invest in regional Victoria.”

In making the announcement to bin the Games, Andrews said: “I’ve made a lot of very difficult decisions in this job. This is not one of them. Frankly, $6-7 billion for a 12-day sporting event, we are not doing that.”

The Athletics Australia submission continued: “The upheaval this decision has caused for athletics in Victoria and Australia, as well as the Commonwealth Games is immeasurable, with a blatant disregard for the significant logistical, emotional, financial and reputational damage caused.

“The Commonwealth Games brand may never recover from this episode, and in that, hundreds of past athletes who have competed in the green and gold for Australia with pride will now experience a diminished public perception on the value of their performances in this event.”

AA said the event was left in limbo, with no alternative 2026 host city yet identified and the future of the Games uncertain.

Two sources close to the Commonwealth Games Federation, who were not authorised to speak publicly, said there was a strong likelihood that even if an alternative host could be found, the event would have to be pushed back to 2027 because of time pressures.

While other countries have been canvassed, the sources said the CDF had pushed focus back on Australia coming up with a suitable alternative venue.

The submission said the decision had damaged Victoria’s and Australia’s global reputation as an event host, disrupted talent pathways for young athletes and children, and destroyed legacy projects connected to hosting the Games.

“Even before the cancellation of Vic2026, AA had concerns about the legacy benefit for athletics, and this has only increased since the cancellation with a scaling down of the proposed legacy venue in Ballarat,” the submission said.

“The past two iterations of the Commonwealth Games have provided no infrastructure legacy to Athletics. In fact, since 2010 there has been a loss of the warm-up track for Melbourne 2006 (originally a legacy of the 1956 Olympic Games), the traditional home of Athletics in Victoria, Olympic Park, which was demolished so AFL players didn’t have to walk too far to train.

“Athletics fares poorly regarding Games infrastructure legacy. While athletics is a centrepiece of every international multisport Games schedule and venue facilities, the athletics track is most often built as a temporary facility, dropped into a major football or cricket stadium.”

The Victorian government was contacted for comment.

The opposition’s spokesman for Tourism, Sport and Events, Sam Groth, said the new premier Jacinta Allan needed to apologise to athletes for the decision.

“This is a scathing submission that highlights the impact of Jacinta Allan’s $600 million debacle on not just Victoria’s reputation but also sport and athletes,” Groth said.

“Jacinta Allan has so far refused to appear before the inquiry to explain her role in this costly debacle. If she won’t do that, the very least she can do is apologise to the athletes who won’t get to compete for their country on home soil.”

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