 had reached $7bn (£3.6bn). His remarks were labelled 'hugely disappointing' by the Commonweath Games Federation (CGF), with one official describing the premier's figures as a 'gross exaggeration'. The organisation claimed it had received only eight hours' notice of the cancellation and said it was committed to finding an alternative host for the event. Labor politician Mr Andrews said: 'What's become clear is that the cost of hosting these games in 2026 is not the $2.6bn which was budgeted and allocated. 'It is in fact at least $6bn and could be as high as $7bn, and I cannot stand here and say to you that I have any confidence that even [the] $7bn number would appropriately and adequately fund these games.' Australian Prime Minister and Labor leader Anthony Albanese told reporters the decision was 'made by the Victorian government', and hailed the country's 'fine record of hosting events' when asked if he was embarrassed about the situation. However, the announcement was met with almost universal condemnation by the heads of Australian sporting bodies. Australia came top of the medal table at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (Picture: David Ramos/Getty Images) Kieren Perkins, a four-time Olympic medallist in swimming and chief executive of the Australian Sports Commission, said the day had been a 'difficult' one. He added: 'For many of our athletes, coaches and support staff, Victoria 2026 was going to be an important stepping stone ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and for others it was to be the pinnacle of their careers.'){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
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The Australian state of Victoria has pulled out as host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, prompting uncertainty over whether the competition will go ahead.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews cited the ballooning cost of holding the event in his decision, saying the original estimate of $2.6 billion (£1bn) had reached $7bn (£3.6bn).
His remarks were labelled ‘hugely disappointing’ by the Commonweath Games Federation (CGF), with one official describing the premier’s figures as a ‘gross exaggeration’.