Marathon and road cycling to be axed if Glasgow hosts troubled Commonwealth Games

A scaled-back Commonwealth Games in Glasgow would have no marathon on the grounds of cost. Road cycling would also be axed as organisers plan a slimmed down version of the showpiece.

Commonwealth Games organisers have backed Glasgow hosting the event again in 2026 after Victoria in Australia pulled out. Around £100m in compensation would be given to Glasgow, but time is running out.

The cash-strapped UK and Scottish Governments are refusing to underwrite the Games while First Minister John Swinney has said no public cash is available. The Birmingham Games in 2022 featured 20 sports but a cut down Glasgow event would reportedly involve just ten different disciplines.

Insiders told the Record that the iconic marathon - one of the most popular competitions - and road cycling would not feature. One source said the marathon is “expensive” to run due to security and road closures.

Sailing and rowing are also understood to be off the agenda. The source also said: “The event needs an unlimited underwrite but both Governments are not willing to do this.

“Another issue is the Commonwealth Games organisers say no public money is needed, but there is confusion on what this means. No public money means the public not paying for policing costs, hiring buildings or staff working in those buildings.”

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He said of Government caution: “There is an element of pass the parcel.” Labour Scottish Secretary Ian Murray was positive this week about a Glasgow Games, but made clear the public would not bankroll the venture.

He said: “We're enthusiastic about this. We want the Commonwealth Games, if there's an opportunity to bring them to Scotland.”

"I think the UK and Scottish Governments have both been clear. There's no public money to invest or underwrite the Commonwealth Games, but we're leaving no stone unturned in what we can do to help.

“There's obviously a role for the UK Government in terms of visas, wider security issues around terrorism, those kinds of issues.”

The UK Government has offered to share the financial risk but they rejected a request by the Scottish Government to underwrite the cost of the Games.

Speaking at Holyrood yesterday, Swinney said “good faith” discussions are ongoing and added: “We all have very fond memories of the Commonwealth games in 2014, which were a marvellous spectacle.

"But I think it is important that everybody who is considering and discussing this issue is aware that the proposal that is being brought forward would not be a replication of the Commonwealth Games of 2014.

"It would be a significantly reduced proposition. There are also some very practical issues about the length of preparatory time for the Games.

"We had seven years to prepare in 2014. There is of course just short of two years actually to prepare for any games in 2026. And there are of course very significant financial issues.”

SNP Health Secretary Neil Gray also recently downplayed expectations, saying: "It is precisely because we understand the potential benefits, as well as the importance to elite sport in Scotland, that we continue to consider this.

"However, there are risks that we need to bottom out. It’s a new concept, it’s untested, the figures we are being quoted are ambitious, so we need to be mindful of that."

The Labour Government has warned of a £22bn black hole in its finances while the Edinburgh administration has announced £500m of spending cuts.

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