GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Originally developed in the 1880s, rugby sevens will not be part of the simplified program for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Glasgow.
In addition to rugby sevens, other sports including field hockey, triathlon, badminton, Twenty20 cricket, squash, and diving have also been removed from the lineup. This decision highlights the challenges involved in organizing large-scale sporting events.
The upcoming Games will feature a focused 10-sport schedule, taking place across four venues. Athletics and swimming are required, while participants can also look forward to track cycling, gymnastics, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls, and 3×3 basketball.
In a step towards inclusivity, integrated para events will be held in six of these sports: athletics, swimming, track cycling, weightlifting, bowls, and basketball.
Set to occur from July 23 to August 2, the Games were relocated to Glasgow after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew last year due to escalating costs.
According to Ian Reid, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, selecting the sports for this year’s Games was a challenging process. He shared with the BBC, “It’s clear that events need to be more affordable and manageable. We would have preferred to include all our athletes and sports, but unfortunately, that just isn’t feasible within the available budget and timeframe.”
Around 3,000 athletes are anticipated to compete, representing up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories. Together, these countries account for approximately one-third of the global population, amounting to 2.5 billion people. To accommodate athletes and their support teams, lodging will be arranged in hotels.
More than 500,000 tickets will be available for spectators eager to witness the event firsthand.
Katie Sadleir, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, emphasized the importance of the 2026 Games as a stepping stone towards a new era for the Commonwealth Games. She stated, “This event will serve as a bridge to the future, laying the groundwork for a model that is more collaborative, flexible, and sustainable—minimizing costs, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing social benefits.”
It’s worth noting that Glasgow previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2014, incurring an expenditure of over 540 million pounds.
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