Australian state of Victoria cancels Commonwealth games

GrannyGravy13

grandtanteJE65

As it was reported that the original estimate was going to be grossly increased, I feel Victoria is doing the right thing cancelling the event.

Especially if they do use the money to provide better service for their own people.

I find it totally wrong that sports events are allowed to continue at the total costs we hear of, when inflation is so high, we are all having to increase our defence budgets and many people are either starving or finding it very hard to pay for food, electricity, heating etc.

There is no way that the money not used for the Commonwealth Games will be used for the good of the people of Victoria.

I feel immensely sorry for the Athletes who train day in day out, sacrifice so much for the chance to represent their Country and these big sporting events. Along with the many thousands of spectators who enjoy sports, the youngsters who would have been inspired to try different sports and g on to represent their Country themselves.

I do not want to live in a world where everything enjoyable is stopped, whether they be on a big scale or a small county meet.

Sport should be encouraged, the population needs to keep fit and active.

Well said GrannyGravy

The Aussies are sports mad, so I don't think they'd have had any trouble filling the stadiums with spectators. Got an excellent team too, so there'd be plenty of support. No, it's about affordability in these hard times.

I'd like to think that the billions of dollars saved will go towards direct benefits for the people of the State, but time will tell.

Shame they didn't cancel HS2. Look what that would have saved.

micmc47

The Aussies are sports mad, so I don't think they'd have had any trouble filling the stadiums with spectators. Got an excellent team too, so there'd be plenty of support. No, it's about affordability in these hard times.

I'd like to think that the billions of dollars saved will go towards direct benefits for the people of the State, but time will tell.

It'll be like our £millions on that bus that was going to go towards the NHS ....

I actually think there is a lot of presuming going on on your part Nanatoone. Might I presume and say perhaps they are your hidden feelings and you are not prepared to announce such. A discussion is not a declaration of positive ideas in my view, it is listening and reading what others think though they might not be the same as yours. and then come to your own conclusion.

Bella23

Grantanow

Aside from the cost I wonder if there is less inclination to put on the Commonwealth games in a world in which alliances and international relations are shifting away from traditional ones and in which the Commonwealth may become less important.

You've said what DH and I were talking about after we heard.
We also wondered that some countries who no longer want to have our Royalty as their heads of state are looking at things in a different way now the late Queen is no longer with us. Are old Colonial ties weakening? Especially seeing the amount of money spent on C&C coronation.
Perhaps the state Governor of Victoria has more pressing problems to spend the budget on as he has said.
What do Australians think about this?
Jamaica certainly showed what they thought about Commonwealth ties when William and Kate visited.

I think the Games are more than just a competition for the Commonwealth countries.
Sport should transcend politics.

^How many countries are going to the Commonwealth Games?
There are 72 member countries in the Commonwealth Games Federation, despite the commonwealth of Nations having only 54 members.^
www.topendsports.com/events/commonwealth-games/countries/index.htm#:~:text=There%20are%2072%20member%20countries,Nations%20having%20only%2054%20members.

What do Australians think about this?
I'll ask.
No a lot, I would guess.

Not a lot

My post obviously upset a few people, why I really don't know. My only point was that some people (no names mentioned at all) seem to be gloating at the loss of an important sporting event and somehow conflating it with the Coronation and other events. I meant no offence, just an observation. I find it sad that such international events are being stopped (I can understand if the cost mentioned is real) and most likely will never be restarted. I don't have particular associations, policital or otherwise, except I am most certainly a Remainer, if that's what was being poked at. If that's the case, I remain convinced that closer ties with other nations are hugely valuable for us all.

The only reason the costs snowballed is the local government decided to build new facilities and spend a ton more money than was originally planned - despite being warned not to by the games organisers.

Saetana

The only reason the costs snowballed is the local government decided to build new facilities and spend a ton more money than was originally planned - despite being warned not to by the games organisers.

Yep 👍

Foxygloves

I am sorry to hear this.
I think the goodwill generated by events such as the Commonwealth games and the Olympics is very important in our increasingly fragmented and hostile world. From the athletes’ point of view they gain immeasurably by the combination of cooperation, competition and fellowship of international events such as these.
Birmingham last year was a very happy place, vibrant and proud and I am sure we all remember the positive vibes and happiness which spread around London in 2012. People even smiled on the tube! I don’t think the country has felt as good since.
Is the answer not to cut back on the razzmatazz and expenditure rather than the Games themselves?

I agree about the razzmatazz, it simply isn't necessary is it?

Not as bad as the SA premier and his need to support any sporting event he chooses when the ramping is out of control, police are resigning and teachers giving up, not enough nurses, doctors etc.

"ramping" is this a new word or a spelling mistake? as I can't work out what it means or is saying.

Ramping is when ambulances can’t offload their patients because of the hospital queues. So they queue at the ramps outside.

Hate to say it, but they are all Labour and should know better. Nice if we got a bit of honesty and transparency.

Australian politics has been toxic for many decades, cutthroat even between members of the same party.
Currently the UK isn’t any better but hopefully after the next election it will return to orderly government whoever wins.