New plan to co-host Comm Games in Gold Coast & Perth
A plan to co-host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast and Perth has been backed by Australia’s richest person.
A recent proposal to host the Games, which were sensationally dumped by former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, as a ‘streamlined event’ exclusively on the Gold Coast was rejected by the Queensland Premier, who preferred to focus on 2032 Olympic Games.
The latest proposal would stage the major event in twin-cities on either side of the country, with Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart seeking support from the Prime Minister, to restore Australia’s “tarnished” reputation after Victoria abandoned the event.
The letter by billionaire mining magnate and sports sponsor was co-signed by Mayor’s Tom Tate (Gold Coast) and Basil Zempilas (Perth).
Cr Tate told The Courier-Mail he truly believed the new proposal could save the Games.
“I’m encouraged that Gina Rinehart is strongly backing a dual-city proposal that will not only save the games but will help recover Australia’s tarnished reputation across the Commonwealth,” he said.
“Victoria contractually committed to the 2026 Games and to me, a handshake should be as a good as a signature.
“Right now, we have a real opportunity to restore our country’s reputations and to provide a clear sporting pathway for our athletes, including our incredible para-athletes.”
Under the plan, half the sports including aquatics would be held on the Gold Coast during the first week, with the remaining sports including track and field held in Perth during the second week.
Potential venues to be used for the twin-city proposal are yet to be discussed, however in the previous Gold Coast proposal, venues built for the 2018 Commonwealth Games would be utilised including the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre at Southport and the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre at Carrara.
The letter to the PM said “The Victorian Government’s decision to cancel the 2026 Commonwealth Games was disappointing and a huge blow to Australia’s reputation and to our athletes. Australia is meant to be viewed as a successful G20 nation, that we can’t organise and fund a Commonwealth Games undermines that reputation.”
“Both the Gold Coast and Perth, with their world-class pre-existing facilities and warm hospitality, stand ready to play a role in delivering an unforgettable experience for athletes, spectators and international guests and media. The recent world championships, and earlier Olympics, proved very popular with Australian audiences Australia wide. Enthusiastic media was constant.”
“We believe that saving the Commonwealth Games via a dual city approach would be popular and in the national interest, and would not only bring huge benefits to our athletes and cities, but also lasting advantages to our nation. We believe it would be a far more popular decision than the recently announced $600 million for Papua New Guinea football (NRL), and not as expensive. Perhaps some of that expenditure could be redirected to improve Australian facilities for the commonwealth games and later Olympic Games in Queensland?”
View the full letter to the PM here.
