Hockey Australia has joined various governing our bodies who’ve voiced their disappointment at their respective sports activities being omitted of the 2026 Commonwealth Video games in Glasgow.
A scaled-back video games in Glasgow will characteristic simply 10 occasions, with diving, badminton, seaside volleyball, cricket, highway biking and mountain biking, rhythmic gymnastics, hockey, rugby sevens, squash, desk tennis and para desk tennis, triathlon and para triathlon, and wrestling all eliminated after being included within the 2022 Birmingham Video games.
The choice to take away hockey from this system will likely be a significant blow to Australia’s medal tally on the Video games, with the Hockeyroos having gained gold on 4 separate events, whereas the Kookaburras have gained gold on the final seven Video games.
“It’s a disappointing announcement, not only for hockey however for the entire sports activities who’ve missed out within the lowered format,” Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles mentioned in an announcement on Tuesday.
“Within the brief time period, I’ll definitely miss seeing the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos on the rostrum. The pictures of our groups in inexperienced and gold singing the nationwide anthem with their medals at each single Video games since hockey’s inception in 1998 stays a proud a part of Australian sporting historical past and our historical past at Hockey Australia.”
Pryles mentioned Hockey Australia hopes “this can be a non permanent adjustment to the Video games schedule”.
Squash Australia was additionally left reeling by the announcement regardless of being included within the 2028 LA Olympic Video games. The game had remained hopeful of being included at Glasgow as a result of Scotstoun Sports activities Complicated housing a venue that had efficiently hosted the game in 2014.
“In the present day’s announcement is a blow to the gamers who’ve had their dream of competing within the Commonwealth Video games taken away from them,” Squash Australia CEO Robert Donaghue mentioned in an announcement.
“With Rachael Grinham carrying the flag into the opening ceremony in 2022, and Australia contributing 11 gold and 33 whole medals since 1998, Australia has achieved nice success in a sport which has been a part of the material of the Commonwealth Video games for 1 / 4 of a century.”
Diving Australia additionally mentioned it was upset after being omitted of the 2026 program, however mentioned it was hopeful the game could be recalled in 2030.
“Naturally we’re upset that diving will not characteristic as a part of the Glasgow Commonwealth Video games given our proud historical past and robust observe report of success,” Diving Australia CEO Alex Newton mentioned in an announcement.
“Diving has been a characteristic sport at each version for the reason that first Commonwealth Video games in 1930 which makes right this moment’s announcement much more regrettable.”
Volleyball Australia CEO Andrew Dee mentioned the organisation was “deeply upset” on the information of seaside volleyball being excluded from the Video games.
Australia topped the medal tally on the Birmingham Video games in 2022 with 180 medals, together with 67 gold, and Australia’s chef de mission Petria Thomas mentioned the crew would embrace a “lighter and leaner” program in Glasgow.
“We knew the Video games have been headed to Glasgow, and we now know after they’ll be and the sports activities that can participate — it is an thrilling milestone in our preparations,” she mentioned in an announcement.
“We’re dedicated to an expertise for Australia’s crew that exceeds Birmingham, with no stone to be left unturned as we goal each efficiency and reminiscences that final a lifetime.”
As a cost-saving measure, the ten sports activities will likely be unfold throughout simply 4 venues — Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross Worldwide Swimming Centre, Emirates Enviornment (together with the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome) and the Scottish Occasion Campus.
That dictated which sports activities have been included, though sevens may very well be thought of unfortunate given Scotstoun Stadium, which is able to host the athletics, can also be the house of the Glasgow Warriors rugby union aspect.
About half the variety of athletes who competed in Birmingham — 4,822 — are set to be in Glasgow with the lowered price contributing to the choice to chop weighty crew sports activities.
Athletes and help workers will keep in lodge lodging quite than an athletes’ village whereas the occasion could have low-cost opening and shutting ceremonies.
With AAP
