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The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Glasgow Commonwealth Games in ‘existential crisis' after marathon snub
He said he was starting to wonder if the organisers of the sporting extravaganza were even capable of organising an egg and spoon race, due to what appeared to be a 'lamentable lack of efficiency, ambition and initiative'. Canavan's concerns are growing after his most recent letter to the Commonwealth Games Federation has not even had the 'courtesy' of an acknowledgment. 'With that level of incompetence, I fear that, in the longer term, the Commonwealth Games is facing an existential crisis,' he told the Sunday National. READ MORE: 'F***ing slags': Oasis take aim at Edinburgh Council chiefs in first Murrayfield gig Having run 15 marathons in the past, Canavan was shocked to find there were no plans for one in the Games next year. 'It beggars belief,' he said. 'The marathon is one of the most prestigious and iconic events in the history of world athletics, dating back to the 5th century BC.' He arranged meetings with some of the organisers who gave him a 'polite hearing' but stood by their decision. Canavan said he then decided 'to swallow his republican loyalties' by writing to the King in his capacity as Patron of the Commonwealth Games. Co-signatories of the letter included former first minister of Scotland, Henry McLeish; former lord provost and lord lieutenant of the City of Glasgow, Alex Mosson; former Commonwealth Games marathon runner Ross Houston; a press officer for Team Scotland in a previous Commonwealth Games and several MSPs. 'After waiting several months for a reply, I had to chase up some flunkey in Buckingham Palace before I eventually got a letter advising me to contact the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF),' said Canavan. He then wrote to the CGF's chief executive, Katie Sadleir, but had to contact her office several times before eventually getting a response. In it, she said road events such as the marathon were being excluded to 'reduce operational complexity, ensure significant savings in transport and security costs and minimise the disruption for the general public by avoiding road closures'. However, Canavan wrote back suggesting the marathon could be self-financing if it were a mass participation event with the elite athletes representing their countries starting before the mass participants who would pay a fee to enter. 'Thousands of runners would be willing to pay to participate in such a prestigious event which could also attract corporate sponsorship,' he said, adding in his marathon running days he had never heard any serious complaint about disruption. He said if the CGF were unable or unwilling to organise a marathon, they should ask the organisers of the London Marathon, the Edinburgh Marathon or the Great Scottish Run to stage the marathon for Glasgow. 'I sent that suggestion to the CGF six weeks ago and so far, I have not even had the courtesy of an acknowledgement,' said Canavan. As the MP who formed a parliamentary group in order to cut through government red tape which was threatening to strangle the London Marathon in its early days, Canavan said he was disappointed in the lack of interest from MPs and MSPs in a Glasgow Commonwealth Games marathon. READ MORE: 'Absolutely crazy': Scottish jazz artist scores new film by Hollywood director 'When I wrote about this matter to all the Glasgow MSPs and MPs and the leader of Glasgow City Council, most of them did not even bother to reply,' he said. 'They do not seem to realise that they are missing a golden opportunity to showcase Glasgow and Scotland to a multi-million TV audience throughout the world. 'As for the people who are supposed to be organising the Commonwealth Games, I am beginning to wonder if they are capable of organising an egg and spoon race.' A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: 'The council is not part of the Games organising company and doesn't have a role in determining the sporting programme.' A Commonwealth Sport spokesperson said: 'We are inspired and excited by the innovative approach taken by organisers to deliver Glasgow 2026 in record time. While road events won't feature in 2026, we are confident they will return in future editions of the Games.'
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Commonwealth Games delegation visits Ahmedabad as India keen to host its 2030 edition
MUMBAI: India is actively pursuing its ambition to host the 2036 Olympics and has shown serious interest in organising the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. According to reports, representatives from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) conducted an inspection of venues and facilities in Ahmedabad. Gujarat Cricket Association Secretary Anil Patel confirmed to TOI: 'Yes, a delegation from CGF visited Ahmedabad yesterday, and another will come on Aug 5. They visited us once previously too. They were shown all the stadiums of various sports which are being constructed for the Commonwealth Games if India wins the bid.'The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is set to serve as the primary venue for the Commonwealth Games events, alongside cricket competitions. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
BBC News
17-04-2025
- BBC News
Commonwealth Games official in breach of ethics code
A "prominent" Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) official has been found to have breached its ethics code after a claim that they "spent an inordinate amount of time with a volunteer of the opposite sex" at a social event related to CGF a decision published on the CGF's website, the chair of an ethics commission panel states that the unnamed individual admitted allegations that they "failed to act with the highest standards of integrity".The official - referred to only as 'AB' - is also said to have accepted acting "in such a way as to give the appearance of impropriety [and] to have the potential to bring the Commonwealth Games into disrepute".As a result, it has been decided that, the reprimanded individual must be accompanied or met by a safeguarding officer, law enforcement official or a senior CGF figure when travelling overseas on CGF business, and undergo training "to further educate [them] in ethical conduct". What's the background? The CGF revealed that in October 2024, a senior CGF figure received a report that 'AB' "may not have acted with the appropriate level of ethical conduct whilst performing a CGF related role".An investigation was then conducted by an unnamed London-based lawyer, referred to in the published decision as 'CD', who acted as an ethics officer in the case, and charged the official in report "included a summary and analysis of a first-person witness to the alleged unethical conduct"."The report documents that AB, while at a social event related to CGF business, spent an inordinate amount of time with a volunteer of the opposite sex," the CGF added."The first-person witnesses were uncomfortable with AB's behaviour…It is clear these witnesses had concerns about the potential to bring the CGF and/or CGF Officials into disrepute, to the extent that they took photographs of AB with the volunteer."The ethics commission chair noted that the official insisted "nothing inappropriate happened at the event", and "states that they have agreed to the allegations and acceded to the proposed sanction to allow the Ethics Commission to hear the matter with a chair as a single person panel".However, the chair also concluded that "the evidence before me indicates that AB's actions denigrated the perception of the integrity, of the potential for the appearance of impropriety, and the possibility of bringing the image of the Commonwealth Games into disrepute".The chair added: "The appearance of unethical conduct by a Commonwealth Games Federation official, which raised concerns by others who were present is like the proverb, 'Caesar's wife must be above suspicion'. Not only do Commonwealth Games Federation officials need to have integrity; they need to be examples of integrity and ethical conduct and avoid negative scrutiny or attention." 'Highly inappropriate' In an intriguing twist, the panel chair also claimed that the lawyer acted inappropriately by proposing modified sanctions in March after the charges were initially delivered, giving the official "opinions or advice that goes well beyond the Ethics Officer role of providing information"."I have further determined that CD has, in effect, conducted what would be characterised as plea bargaining with AB, after AB had received the Notice of Charge" said the chair. "I find this to be highly inappropriate."CD should not have made any modifications to the charges or the sanctions, as that is in the sole purview of the Ethic Commission at a hearing, and only after a hearing is requested by the covered person." 'Reputational risk' The chair also revealed that they rejected a suggestion by the reprimanded official to not publicly disclose the outcome of the case, stating that "not disclosing the decision could create a reputational risk for the CGF and possibly subject it to allegations of cover up."However, the chair said that they have chosen not to reveal the individual's identity because based on the investigation, "no harm was done to any person, there does not appear to be any risk of harm towards any person or persons".They also noted that "AB is not the subject of a provisional or sanctioned suspension or expulsion where their identity must be provided in order to ensure compliance; and that the sanctions proposed by CD and accepted by AB are on the less severe end of sanctions spectrum".It is also noted that the decision "shall be posted on the Commonwealth Games Website under the relevant section concerning the Ethics Commission, and shall not be posted on the 'News' feed. The decision will be posted for a period of 28 days only".The CGF has declined to comment further on the matter.
ARN News Center
21-03-2025
- Business
- ARN News Center
India eyes 2030 Commonwealth Games as it bids for 2036 Olympics
India has submitted an "expression of interest" to stage the 2030 Commonwealth Games, potentially the perfect dress rehearsal for the country's bigger dream of hosting the Olympic Games six years later. India hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, where the buildup was marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, although the event itself was considered a success. "We have sent an expression of interest and we are hopeful the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) will consider our proposal," Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P.T. Usha told Reuters on Friday. India will be optimistic of landing the centenary edition of the multi-sports gathering of mainly former British colonies, particularly because the Games has struggled to find takers in recent times. Scotland's Glasgow will host a pared-down version of the Games next year after the Australian state of Victoria, the original host, pulled out citing escalating costs. The 2022 Games was shifted to Birmingham after the South African city of Durban withdrew due to financial problems. Bidders have until March 31 to send expressions of interest for hosting the 2030 edition. In an email to Reuters, the CGF said the process was ongoing and that it would provide details "in due course". The world's most populous country is also bidding for the 2036 Olympics, with the city of Ahmedabad in the western state of Gujarat at the centre of India's grand plans to stage what is considered the "greatest show on earth".
Dubai Eye
21-03-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
India eyes 2030 Commonwealth Games as it bids for 2036 Olympics
India has submitted an "expression of interest" to stage the 2030 Commonwealth Games, potentially the perfect dress rehearsal for the country's bigger dream of hosting the Olympic Games six years later. India hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, where the buildup was marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, although the event itself was considered a success. "We have sent an expression of interest and we are hopeful the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) will consider our proposal," Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P.T. Usha told Reuters on Friday. India will be optimistic of landing the centenary edition of the multi-sports gathering of mainly former British colonies, particularly because the Games has struggled to find takers in recent times. Scotland's Glasgow will host a pared-down version of the Games next year after the Australian state of Victoria, the original host, pulled out citing escalating costs. The 2022 Games was shifted to Birmingham after the South African city of Durban withdrew due to financial problems. Bidders have until March 31 to send expressions of interest for hosting the 2030 edition. In an email to Reuters, the CGF said the process was ongoing and that it would provide details "in due course". The world's most populous country is also bidding for the 2036 Olympics, with the city of Ahmedabad in the western state of Gujarat at the centre of India's grand plans to stage what is considered the "greatest show on earth".
