The Commonwealth Games is a sports event that doesn’t receive much attention in the United States. However, it is one of the largest international sports gatherings with 70 countries or dependent territories that were members of the organization once known as the British Commonwealth.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games was scheduled for Durban, South Africa but a not so funny thing happened on the way to Durban. The Durban organizers could not get the money needed to hold a major, international sporting event from the South African government. In 2015, Durban was given the right to host the Games because no one else wanted the event. Edmonton, Alberta elected officials and business leaders kicked the tires but decided it was not a good fit for the western Canadian city.
Durban is the latest city to say no to a major international sporting event because mega events such as the Olympics, World Cup and the Commonwealth Games are just too expensive as public money is needed to help with costs. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Birmingham, London, Manchester, all in England, Edmonton along with Sydney and Melbourne in Australia could be interested in the event. But costs are a factor.
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee continues to struggle finding places to hold the Summer Games. There are just two bids on the table for the 2024 event with Paris and Los Angeles political and business leaders on board to host the Games.
There is some talk that the International Olympic Committee, which is seeing less and less interest from cities that want the group’s offering, may just award the 2024 and 2028 contests to Paris and Los Angeles but Los Angeles backers are not interested in waiting until 2028. It appears there is very little appetite globally for spending money on big sports events.
By Evan Weiner For The Politics Of Sports Business
This article was republished with permission from the original publisher, Evan Weiner.