Sports minister 'excited puppy' for Glasgow 2026 plan

Maree Todd said she felt like an "excited puppy" at the prospect of the games returning to Glasgow

Scotland's sports minister has said she is "like an excited puppy" at the prospect of Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games again.

It has been suggested a slimmed down version of the games could return to the city in 2026 after a number of other potential hosts ruled themselves out.

Maree Todd said the Commonwealth Games was really important to Scotland and its athletes.

But while she said she would love to see it happen, she cautioned that the benefits and risks would need to be carefully scrutinised.

This summer marks 10 years since the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The 2026 games were due to be held in the Australian state of Victoria but it pulled out.

Alternative hosts such as Singapore and Malaysia have also ruled themselves out.

Last week Commonwealth Games Scotland suggested that Glasgow could host a scaled back event with 10-13 sports, if no other host can be found.

The 2014 Commonwealth games in Glasgow were praised a huge success

Ms Todd told BBC Scotland News that negotiations about such an offer were continuing.

She said: "The Commonwealth Games are really important to Scotland and a vital part of the fabric that enables our athletes to be on the pathway to the Olympics.

"It's a real chance to athletes to compete for Team Scotland."

She said Commonwealth Games Scotland had put together some ideas on how to host it without using public funds.

"Obviously we would have to work really closely with the Commonwealth Games organisation to make sure there was no requirement to invest public money in Scotland.

"But I'm like an excited puppy - I'm the sports minister and I love sport. Of course I'd love to see it happen.

"There's a lot of steps to happen between now and then - and we will see what we can do.

"Scotland will only host it if there are no alternative hosts but we think we can help."

Financial caution

The minister said the Commonwealth Games had in the past given a good return on investment.

The 2014 Glasgow games left a legacy in housing and sports facilities, as well as benefiting future generations of athletes, she said.

But she added: "We will have to cautiously scrutinise the risks and benefits for the nation.

"We are in a very difficult financially constrained time and we will have to carefully navigate that"

In a stripped down games, athletics and swimming are likely to be included, with other sports at the discretion of the hosts.

Track and field could be difficult as the 2014 games used a modified Hampden Park.

The athletes village built for the previous games has also been converted to housing so a new accommodation solution would be needed.

The Commonwealth Games Association is currently holding confidential discussions with possible hosts, but a decision could come in May.