Elections and referendums have consequences and the United Kingdom’s rejection of staying in the European Union has swayed Wales to not make a bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Americans don’t know much about the Commonwealth Games but this is a long running event that started in 1930 and is held every four years. Up to 71 teams from 53 countries can enter. Wales, though part of Great Britain, sends a separate team as does England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Games don’t get much attention in America but the event is one of the largest sports contests in the world.
Wales officially said no on a bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games because of two reasons. The estimated cost, over one billion dollars in US money and political uncertainty due to Great Britain exiting the European Union.
The government in Wales has brought up a sports first. They have no idea just how the Great Britain-European Union divorce is going to impact sports. It would seem for events such as golf’s British Open and tennis’s Wimbledon all will be fine, but things like filling up the rosters of English Premiership teams with non-British football players may become more complicated.
The National Football League has no idea how Great Britain’s exit is going to impact the league’s future plans in London and the European continent. Some politicians in Wales are not thrilled with the overall decision as those who wanted the Games are using the old line of think about the kids because it is worthwhile to invest in sports for health reasons. Someone will step up and bid for an event that is a decade away. Australia and South Africa have the 2018 and 2022 events. Edmonton withdrew a bid for the 2022 event because of the declining oil prices and the sinking Canadian dollar but is open to hosting the 2026 Games however the Canadian loonie problems still remain.
By Evan Weiner for The Politics Of Sports Business.
This article was republished with permission from the original publisher, Evan Weiner.