New Delhi: The Commonwealth Games is back in the headlines after Scottish government on Tuesday agreed to a rescue deal with the Commonwealth Games Federation, though the approval is subject to CGF and Commonwealth Games Scotland’s nod.
The development means that Glasgow, which hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games, will once again host the quadrennial event, although it is very clear that it will be a slimmed down version with only 10-11 sports reportedly said to be competed.
The larger scope is that the CWG brand will continue its presence in the multi-sporting tournaments even if the schedule, including the competitions and disciplines, are truncated from its past versions.
After Victoria pulled out as the hosts for the 2026 CWG Games, a popular narrative was set that Commonwealth Games has lost its significance as they struggle to find host nations, and the higher costs of hosting the events than the revenue is generated. One of the talking points is the lopsided competitions that take place in the CWGs.
To check with the magnifying glass on why Commonwealth Games doesn’t raise the bar for strong competitions then one can check the number of world records shattered in the quadrennial event.
According to the data available on the detailed record section of the Commonwealth Games Sport portal, only seven world records broken were traced at the CWG events. The records are available for Aquatics (Swimming and Para-swimming), Athletics and Para-Athletics, Cycling – Track and Para Track, Para Powerlifting and Weightlifting. (The likes of Shooting and Archery aren’t taken into consideration after both sporting disciplines were snubbed from 2022 Birmingham Games).
Here is the list of world records broken in Commonwealth Games:
Katja Dedekind – Women’s 50m freestyle S13 (Para-Swimming) – Birmingham, 2022
Australia team – Women’s 4x200m freestyle relay – 7:39.29s (Swimming) – Birmingham, 2022
Goodness Nwachukwu – Women’s Discus Throw F42 – 36.56m (Para Athletics) – Birmingham, 2022
Folashade Oluwafemiayo – Women’s 86kg – 155kg (Para Powerlifting) – Birmingham, 2022
Neil Fachie – Men’s Tandem B – Sprint – 9.568 (Para Track Cycling) – Gold Coast, 2018
Sophie Thornhill – Women’s Tandem B – 1000m Time Trial – 1:04.623 (Para Track Cycling) – Gold Coast, 2018
Sophie Thornhill – Women’s Tandem B – Sprint – 10.609 (Para Track Cycling) – Gold Coast, 2018
How is it stark contrast to Olympics?
According to a Sportstar report, 20 world records were broken in the Paris Olympics 2024 (July 26-August 11) this year. In each Olympics event numerous world records are shattered, not counting the Olympic records.
To put things into a microscopic zone, the athletes at the Olympics qualify by a standard qualification mark for every discipline or through world rankings. However, for the CWG, the qualifying process depends on the federations of each country to send the athletes for a particular sport or disciplines.
This factor allows nail-biting contests in Olympics more than the Commonwealth Games.
The Commonwealth Games is back in the headlines after Scottish government on Tuesday agreed to a rescue deal with the Commonwealth Games Federation, though the approval is subject to CGF and Commonwealth Games Scotland’s nod. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
