The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has confirmed that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be hosted by the State of Victoria in Australia. Triathlon and Para triathlon have both been confirmed in the programme, with the events taking place in Geelong.
The announcement follows a successful
exclusive dialogue period between the CGF, Commonwealth Games Australia and
Victoria, where an exciting proposal to stage the major multi-sport competition
across the State was agreed.
In what will be a first ever predominantly
regional Commonwealth Games, Victoria 2026 will be staged in March 2026 across
multiple cities and regional hubs including Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo,
Ballarat and Gippsland. The Opening Ceremony will take place at the iconic
Melbourne Cricket Ground. The approach will showcase the best of what the State
has to offer and ensure a uniquely Victorian experience for the athletes and
spectators.
There will be a phased approach in
creating the sports programme for Victoria 2026. An initial 16 sports (Aquatics,
Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Beach Volley, Cricket T20, Cycling, Gymnastics,
hockey, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Rugby Sevens, Squash, Table Tennis, Triathlon
& Weightlifting) have been put forward for the Games, with further sports
to be added later this year.
The CGF, CGAus and Victoria entered
an exclusive dialogue period in February 2022. A CGF and CGAus visit to
Victoria took place later that month. This was followed by a Victoria 2026
delegation presenting their 2026 Games Proposal to the CGF Executive Board in
Birmingham, England in March 2022. The Proposal has now been approved by the
CGF Executive Board, with the Host Contract to be signed in Victoria today.
CGF President Dame Louise Martin
said: “The Commonwealth Games Federation is absolutely delighted to award the
2026 Commonwealth Games to Victoria. Commonwealth Games Australia and the
Victorian Government have set out a bold and innovative vision for hosting our
major multi-sport event. In Victoria, we believe we have found the perfect
partner for the next stage of our journey.
This a very special moment for the
Commonwealth Sport Family and on behalf of the entire Movement, I would like to
congratulate Commonwealth Games Australia and Victoria on their successful
Games submission. We now look forward to a bright future as we work together to
stage a Commonwealth Games like no other.”
Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews
said: “It’s a great honour to have Victoria chosen as the host venue for the
2026 Commonwealth Games – we can’t wait to welcome the world to all of our
state.” “The Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria is great for jobs,
hospitality and our economy.” Australia has staged the Commonwealth Games on
five occasions, with Victoria playing host to the Melbourne 2006 Games; widely
considered one of the most successful editions of the event in history. The
country has also staged the Games in Sydney in 1938, Perth in 1962, Brisbane in
1982 and most recently Gold Coast in 2018. Victoria has also hosted the
Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendigo in 2004.”
Commonwealth Games Australia
President Ben Houston said: “Commonwealth Games Australia is thrilled to
welcome the athletes of the Commonwealth back to Australia and we look forward
to working with both the CGF and the Victorian Government to bring the Games to
life across Victoria in 2026.” “A home Games will provide immeasurable benefits
for our Member sports and will inspire our athletes in what will be a unique
and exciting Games”.
The 2026 Games will be the 23rd
edition of the major multi-sport competition, which first began in Hamilton,
Canada in 1930.
Victoria is a world leading major
events and tourism destination. The State has a strong track record for staging
high profile sporting competition including The Australian Open tennis grand
slam, the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup. Victoria also
regularly hosts elite cricket, golf and Australian Rules Football competition.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games will be
staged in Birmingham, England from 28 July – 8 August, with triathlon
(individual and mixed relay) and para triathlon also included in the programme.
ABOUT WORLD TRIATHLON
World Triathlon is the international
governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of triathlon and all
related multisport disciplines around the world, including duathlon, aquathlon,
cross triathlon and winter triathlon. Triathlon made its Olympic debut in
Sydney 2000, with a third medal event, the Mixed Team Relay, added to the
programme at Tokyo 2020, while para triathlon was first added to the Paralympic
programme at Rio 2016. World Triathlon is proudly committed to the development
of the sport worldwide, with inclusion, equality, sustainability and
transparency at our core as we seek to help triathletes at all levels of the
sport to be extraordinary.
No comments:
Post a Comment