The Australian state of Victoria has decided to withdraw as host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games as it battles financial problems caused by massive COVID-19 debts and high government expenses.
On July 18, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that the state would no longer host the 2026 event because of a funding blowout.
The Games were supposed to be held in regional areas of Victoria from March 17-19, 2026, after the state was awarded the right to host the event in 2022.
Speaking to the press, the premier cited a blowout in cost estimates as the main reason for the surprise decision, saying it would cost over $6 billion (US$4.1 billion) instead of the original estimate of $2.6 billion….