We have to keep Commonwealth Games going – Kenny

Dame Laura Kenny has called on cities to step up for the 2030 Commonwealth Games after Glasgow became hosts for the 2026 edition.

Dame Laura Kenny is a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medal winner Dame Laura Kenny hopes that a city steps up to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with Glasgow to host a scaled-back 2026 edition. The Scottish city was named official host after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew due to rising costs, but a number of events may not take place at the Glasgow Games. Kenny, Great Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, said that unless cities make a big effort to host the event in its entirety, the long-term future of the Commonwealth Games is at risk. “I really hope that someone steps up and says ‘we’ll take the next one’, because when sporting events disappear, you very rarely see them come back,” Kenny told BBC Breakfast. “I think we have to think about the history. The Commonwealth Games have been going for so long, it seems such a shame to just leave it and just forget about the history of the sport. “It brings so many nations together, it’s a multi-sport event and it’s on a huge stage, we have to keep it going.” The plan is to stage as few as 10 sports in Glasgow, though it is not yet clear which sports will be cut. Kenny, who won Commonwealth track cycling gold in 2014 and 2022, said there should be focus on prioritising sports that are not included at the Olympics. “I just hope that they take into consideration non-Olympic sports, because the Commonwealths for the likes of netball are actually the only light that they really get shone on their sport,” Kenny added. “For me, when they think ‘we’ll pull this one or pull that one’, [it is important] it is done in a way that is fair I guess, because the Olympics is huge and that is where a lot people will watch. “Ultimately, the Commonwealth Games for a lot of these sports are their Olympics.” Will Glasgow be last leg or clever rebirth for Commonwealths? Women’s T20 World Cup: England strike against South Africa Kane injury update plus verdict announced in Man City’s APT Premier League legal case Verdict in Man City case over Premier League commercial rules Twisting, gripping legal drama featuring Adeel Akhtar A trial unfolds when a climate activist identifies a policeman after a fatal hit and run Does the 5 second rule really exist? Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain tackle the 5 second rule and if it is safe to eat food off the floor Kit Harington stars in the new series of Industry Plunge into the unrelenting, seductive world of high finance The perfect graph, but is it accurate? A portfolio manager comes across the perfect graph and wonders whether there is something behind it Who is your Premier League club’s most irreplaceable player? ‘Too much class’ – Red Roses outplay world champions New Zealand. Video’Too much class’ – Red Roses outplay world champions New Zealand How ‘coasting’ Spurs lost ‘a game of two halves’ VideoHow ‘coasting’ Spurs lost ‘a game of two halves’ Wyatt-Hodge top scores as England beat Bangladesh. VideoWyatt-Hodge top scores as England beat Bangladesh ‘Outstanding skill’ – French scores excellent try in Wigan win. Video’Outstanding skill’ – French scores excellent try in Wigan win How Slot tightened Liverpool’s defence to power title bid How penalty decisions shaped Everton v Newcastle – analysis. VideoHow penalty decisions shaped Everton v Newcastle – analysis Why ‘face of baseball’ is on cusp of global stardom Tragedy to triumph – how O’Connell helped Vikings overcome team-mate’s death The Englishman who saved Udinese, and the legends reviving them Nominate your Unsung Hero for 2024 ‘I gave everything to boxing and still have nothing’ ‘Am I a pioneer?’ The Lionesses’ first black player The best photos from the summer of cricket © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/articles/cly5gp15q3jo