2026 Commonwealth Games: Jersey boss 'stunned' as Victoria pulls out of hosting event

Jersey sent 27 athletes to compete in eight sports at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Jersey and Guernsey's Commonwealth Games Associations have expressed their shock at the news that Victoria has pulled out of hosting the 2026 games.

The Australian state says it can no longer afford to host the event, leaving its future in 2026 in limbo.

The Games are the highest level that Channel Island athletes can compete in.

"I'm stunned and disappointed, I had no idea this was coming," Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey president Paul Huddlestone told BBC Radio Jersey.

"I received an email overnight with the text of the media statements. I'm still feeling a bit in disarray as to what's going to happen."

Jersey have not won a medal at a Commonwealth Games since 1990 but sent a team of 27 athletes, who took part in eight sports, in 2022.

Jersey gymnast Daniel Lee finished sixth in the all-around final, the island's 4x100m medley relay swimming team were fifth and three different bowls teams reached the quarter-finals.

"We had a meeting in London in early June to discuss many issues with our European counterparts, and there was a representative from Australia there discussing the Games in great detail," Huddlestone added.

"There was absolutely no hint that any of this was going to happen.

"I'm reeling over what's happened overnight and certainly the Commonwealth Games Federation have got to get together very quickly and come up with some sort of plan of action of what and how and when and where the Games might still go ahead in 2026."

Alastair Chalmers' bronze medal last summer's 400m hurdles was the first athletics medal ever won by a Channel Islander at the Commonwealth Games

Guernsey had their most successful Commonwealth Games in 40 years last year as bowler Lucy Beere won a silver medal in the women's singles, while 400m hurdler Alastair Chalmers got a bronze.

"It is a huge shock to hear the announcement today that Victoria has withdrawn from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games," Guernsey Commonwealth Games Association head Angela Stuart said in a statement.

"We await information from the federation of what we may expect going forward as I'm sure it is a great disappointment with the amount of work already put in between the federation and the organising committee in Australia.

"We have been attending online meetings for some time now preparing for the challenges that a multicity Games would bring, so it is sad that at this late stage of less than three years that we all find ourselves in this situation."

'Don't stop training'

Jersey gymnast Dan Lee made two finals at Birmingham 2022

The impact on Jersey's top sportspeople will also be great, as the pinnacle of their sport - for most of them - could be out of reach.

But Huddlestone has urged island athletes to carry on as normal until answers are given over the future of the 2026 Games.

"I'm sure they'll be disappointed as they'll be targeting 2026 as their next big main event.

"It takes years to reach that level of competence, ability and dedication, and consequently all I can say to them is this has happened, we will be heavily involved with the federation to see what can be done to try and replace Victoria.

"Don't stop training or competing, just wait and hear the news as to what will hopefully be put into place to replace Victoria."