UN sounds alarm at Israel's 'severe violations' at key buffer zone with Syria    Thousands of protesters march in Paris ahead of tense football match between France and Israel    Republicans win 218 US House seats, giving Donald Trump control of government    FBI arrests alleged leaker of US intelligence documents related to Israel's Iran attack plans    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    Prophet's Mosque imam underscores Islam's core values at peace conference in India    Interior minister graces graduation ceremony at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences    Saudi, Indian foreign ministers co-chair Cooperation Committee meeting in New Delhi    198 new sites documented in the National Antiquities Register    Cityscape Global 2024: Saudi real estate sector booms with SR180 billion in new projects    PIF to sell 2% stake in stc via accelerated book-building    SAMA issues rules for opening electronic wallets    South Korean actor Song Jae Lim found dead at 39    TGA suspends 2 passenger transport applications and an application for food delivery    Don't sit on the toilet for more than 10 minutes, doctors warn    'Marvels of Saudi Orchestra' to dazzle audience in Tokyo on Nov. 22    Saudi Champion Saeed Al-Mouri scores notable feat in Radical World Championship in Abu Dhabi with support from Bin-Shihon Group    Rita Ora is tearful in tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Awards    France to deploy 4,000 police officers for UEFA Nations League match against Israel    Al Ahli continues strong form with 2-0 win over Al Raed in Saudi Pro League    Al Nassr edges past Al Riyadh with Mane's goal to move up to third    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Gold Coast mayor scraps bid for 2026 Commonwealth Games
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 04 - 12 - 2023

The Gold Coast has withdrawn its bid to host the next Commonwealth Games, ending any hope the event could still be held in Australia.
The coastal city hosted the 2018 Games, and mayor Tom Tate had unilaterally insisted it could do it again.
But the federal and state governments have repeatedly ruled out supporting the event, as had his own deputy mayor.
Organizers have said they may have to postpone or cancel the next instalment of the Games.
The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event that takes place every four years. It has only ever been cancelled during World War Two. To be eligible to participate, competitors must be from one of over 70 nations or territories - many of which were once part of the British Empire.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had struggled to find a host for the 2026 Games before Victoria volunteered, and a month after the state's withdrawal, the only contender for the 2030 Games - the Canadian province of Alberta - also dropped its hosting plans.
There are no other firm bids to host either the 2026 or 2030 Games. Governments say the cost of the event is skyrocketing, while experts argue its global image and perceived relevance is waning.
Organisers had originally estimated the Victorian Games - hosted across cities including Geelong, Bendigo, and Ballarat - would cost A$2.6bn (£1.4bn; $1.bn), but the government said it had ballooned to more than A$6 bn.
Mr Tate had said the Gold Coast could host a "streamlined" version of the event for A$700m and had floated the idea of sharing it with the city of Perth — a six-hour flight away.
He says his plan had attracted support from Australian billionaires like Gina Rinehart and Gerry Harvey and athletes who are desperate for the event to proceed, but that it could not win over the Queensland or federal governments.
"We did our best and that's all people can expect," Mr Tate said in a statement on Sunday.
Australia will now be known as "a place that reneges on a global sports contract", leaving its reputation "in tatters" he added.
Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) wanted to keep the Games in Australia, but chief executive Craig Phillips said he understood Mr Tate's decision.
"CGA, alongside our colleagues at the CGF, are working tirelessly to find an alternative solution for the athletes of Australia and the Pacific and conversations continue on four continents including here at home," he said, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin. — BBC


Clic here to read the story from its source.