Athletics Australia joins Commonwealth Games Australia in celebrating the news that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be hosted by the State of Victoria.
The Victoria 2026 Games will be the sixth Home Games in Australia, with Athletics named as one of the sixteen sports confirmed in the initial phase of the 2026 Games program.
Athletics Australia CEO Peter Bromley congratulated Commonwealth Games Australia and the Victorian Government on the successful securement of the Games, stating:
“This is a very proud day for Australian sport, and particularly track and field in Australia,” Bromley said.
“The Commonwealth Games is a special movement in sport, and has been the catalyst for greatness for countless track and field athletes. We’re thrilled to hear the news today and we’re excited to see that these Games are returning home once again.
“There is much excitement around sport in Australia already, with the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics already on the horizon, but a home Games in just four years’ time will no doubt inspire people of all ages and of all levels and capacities to get involved in our sport.
“It will give our athletes striving for Australian team selection something extra to look forward to as they look to wear the green and gold on home soil, but it will also open up an avenue for others to join our community whether it be through volunteering or as a technical official. We’re excited by the prospect of our sport growing through the Commonwealth Games in all areas.”
The announcement by the Commonwealth Games Federation also confirmed that the Games would be regionally focussed, with the idea that it will expand the capacity of regional cities in Victoria to deliver major events linking tourism, arts, culture and sport.
“We saw the Commonwealth Games do spectacular things for South East Queensland in 2018, and we know that momentum will continue to regional parts of Victoria, with the 2026 Games,” Bromley said.
“Additionally, we have had many great athletes come through the ranks from regional parts of Australia, and we believe having the Games outside of metropolitan cities will help continue this surge, with young athletes inspired by the opportunity to represent their towns at another home Games.
For more information, please see the Commonwealth Games Australia media release here.
By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 12/4/2022
