Glasgow is pivotal to the future of the Commonwealth Games, says chief executive

The newly appointed chief executive of next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow says the 2026 event is pivotal to it having a future.

The pared-down programme will be held in Scotland after the original hosts – the Australian state of Victoria – pulled out over escalating costs.

Compensation paid by the Australians will cover most of the bill for a new-look event, a reduced format with just ten sports, four venues and no athletes village.

The newly-appointed chief executive of Glasgow 2026 believes that what is on show in the city next year, will be a crucial model for the events that follow.

“I think Glasgow has a really pivotal role to play in the redefining of the Commonwealth sport movement,” Phil Batty told STV.

“We’re working so closely with the Commonwealth Games Federation to do that.

“What we create in Glasgow in 2026 is one step on a road map. So what happens in 2030, 2034 and 2038 will build on the innovations we bring into play.

“But every place in the Commonwealth is so different and so special that I hope this new model creates more flexibility and more opportunity for more places to host the games in the future.”

The programme is set to include athletics at Scotstoun Stadium, swimming at Tollcross, cycling at the velodrome and the SEC facilities are also expected to be used. Batty believes that can act in the event’s favour and Glasgow will have “electricity and enthusiasm” when it all gets under way.

“Having the venues within an eight mile corridor creates a great opportunity to create a huge sense of civic pride and community spirit as people walk towards the venues and enjoy the sporting competition,” he added.

“I think when we get to Games time there’s always an electricity and enthusiasm.

“Ultimately, that comes from the spectators. So making sure we get that spectator experience right will be really important in the planning process over the rest of this year.”

Concerns have been raised that the smaller-scale nature of the 2026 Games will suffer poorly in comparison the the well-received 2014 event in the city but Batty is optimistic it will be a positive experience all round.

“Glasgow 2014 was hugely successful and everyone in Scotland should be hugely proud of what was delivered for that competition,” he said.

“This is an opportunity to build on that legacy but do things that are brilliantly different.

“2026 will feel different but that difference will feel positive.

“It will feel warm, it will feel welcoming and it will feel exciting.”