Axed sports still on radar for Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games Federation boss Katie Sadleir has moved to reassure sports excluded from Glasgow that they can be a part of future Games, but warned the event will never return to its previous size.
A number of sports bodies in Australia were left concerned about their viability after they were culled from a slimmed-down Games program that only includes 10 disciplines.
The Glasgow 2026 organising committee had the final say and based their choices on a five-point criteria, considering "universality of participation, quality of competition, alignment with CGF values, a balanced program, and benefit to Games hosts".
"The hosts were aware there were two compulsory sports, athletics and swimming, and then they had a look at the facilities that they had available and the time frame, and those five criteria ... and of course what sports are important from a Scottish perspective," the committee said.
There were some surprise inclusions in 3x3 basketball and judo ahead of rugby sevens, hockey and squash, although Sadleir told AAP 3x3 proved "incredibly popular" at the last Games in Birmingham, where it made its debut.
Sadleir said that while 10 sports were locked in for Glasgow, that was likely to change at future Games.
"It's an incredibly hard decision, but I think one of the things I want to stress is that the 10-sport program for Glasgow is not set in stone for the Games of the future," she said.
"We've just started the process of looking at 2030, which is our centenary Games, and while some sports have missed out for this time, that doesn't set a precedent for the future.
"Every time you come out with a new program, there'll be new sports added in, some sports that will have to step down for that addition, but that does not mean that is forever."
The reduction in sports can be traced to Victoria's withdrawal as Games host last year, with 22 sports initially planned for an Australian Commonwealth Games.
Sadleir said those days were over.
"We've heard very loudly and clearly that the cost of the Games has got to a stage where it is unsustainable and unaffordable for the majority of the Commonwealth," she said.
"And we have an ambition of taking the Games around the Commonwealth ... it needed to be sized at a sustainable level, so we are looking at resetting."
Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) is looking to change its constitution to keep excluded sports in its fold.
"The CGA board of directors will host a General Meeting in December, seeking approval from the membership to amend the constitution regarding the eligibility criteria for Sport Members," CGA said in a statement.
"The amendments seek to retain membership for sports who have participated in any of the last three Games or are on the program for Glasgow 2026.
"This will ensure CGA's membership remains inclusive and representative, while also enabling CGA to continue its collaboration with the widest possible cohort of National Sporting Organisations."
