'Mature response' to Commonwealth omissions - Heatley

Chloe MacCombe [right, pictured alongside guide Catherine Sands] will not have the opportunity to defend the silver medal she won for Team Northern Ireland in the para triathlon at Birmingham 2022

Conal Heatley, the Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland, has said the response from sports that will not feature in Glasgow 2026 has been "very mature".

The Australian state of Victoria was originally chosen to stage the multi-sport event but withdrew as host due to rising costs. After a deal was backed by the Scottish government, 2014 hosts Glasgow stepped in to put on a scaled-down version of the event featuring fewer sports and athletes.

Among the sports not to be included are badminton, table tennis and triathlon, as well as a number of team sports such as Rugby 7s and hockey.

Of the 18 medals won by Team Northern Ireland in Birmingham two years ago, only the silver of Chloe MacCombe from the para triathlon came in a discipline that will not feature in Glasgow.

"There's been a very mature response," said Heatley of those who have found their discipline has not made the cut.

"We've [Team Northern Ireland] lost three sports that we had in Birmingham 2022 and it's obviously very disappointing for those sports, disappointing for the team.

Heatley added there had been a fear that the Games could "just slip away" having been left without a host, but that he now feels "a lot more confident" about their future.

"Given where the Commonwealth Games was after the state of Victoria withdrew last summer, there was a fear the Games could just slip away," he said.

"We know how important the Commonwealth Games are for many of our sports here in Northern Ireland.

"I think if we had looked at the future of the Games six or nine months ago, I'd have been nervous. I'm a lot more confident now."

Heatley, however, believes that the sports not selected can "reset and rebuild" to regain inclusion for future editions.

"Looking at the longer term, we all see this as an opportunity to reset what the Games looks like and then plan for 2030. The term that we're using time and time again is 2026 and beyond.

"There's an opportunity for those sports that aren't involved in the Glasgow Games to reset and rebuild and be in a strong position as we look towards the Games in 2030.

"I think we're looking positively that 2030 will grow. What that mix of sports looks like, we'll have to wait and see."