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Paralympics Australia welcomes today’s announcement that Commonwealth Games Australia and the Victorian Government have entered exclusive negotiations to host the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
The exclusive dialogue agreement with the Commonwealth Games Federation opens the possibility for an innovative style of Games that could showcase elite Para-sport to new audiences and be complemented by a strong focus on social and cultural issues pertinent to the 20 percent of Australians who live with a disability.
“We are very excited at the prospect of Commonwealth Games events being staged throughout Victoria, including regional centres where people may not have experienced the incredible thrill of live Para-sports before,” Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Catherine Clark said.
“It’s a chance for our best Para-athletes to compete at home at a major competition, but it’s also a great opportunity for our organisation to expand our goal to educate people about Para-sports and provide opportunities for people with a disability to get involved in sport.”
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The Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews said: “Victoria is Australia’s sporting state and, if awarded, the 2026 Commonwealth Games would demonstrate to the world a new way to deliver the competition.
“We would hope to have the majority of events in our regional cities – to display the best of Victoria, create jobs and housing and infrastructure that will deliver for the long term.”
The Games blueprint also involves a cultural festival that would celebrate the diversity of the competing nations.
“Inclusivity and diversity are the cornerstones of the Paralympic movement,” Clark said.
“Though we are still at an early stage of the bid, the aspirations outlined for Victoria hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games appear strongly aligned to our aspirations as we work towards the 2032 Paralympic Games in Brisbane.
“With Paralympian Dylan Alcott named Australian of the Year, our Australian Paralympic Team’s tremendous success at Tokyo 2020, Brisbane 2032 locked in and now this encouraging Commonwealth Games bid, this is a truly wonderful time for Australia’s Paralympic movement and Australian sport in general.”
By: Paralympics Australia
Posted: 16 February 2022
Image: Michael Wilson
