Commonwealth Games return to Glasgow would be 'great opportunity to restore civic pride' in city

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Commonwealth Games is tipped to make a surprise return to Glasgow as organisers struggle to find a host for the next event in 2026.Speculation is mounting that a scaled-back version of the sporting extravaganza will be held in Scotland's largest city in two years' time.Games insiders said last night that discussions between key stakeholders were continuing and insisted no final agreement had been reached.But Glasgow remains in pole position due to the city's extensive sporting infrastructure and track record of hosting international events.The 2026 Games is likely to feature fewer sports than previous meetings in a bid to save cash.The event was due to be hosted in the Australian state of Victoria until the local government pulled the plug last year.The last Commonwealth Games staged in Glasgow in 2014 cost £534m and saw significant investment in new sporting facilities across the city, including a purpose-built athletes' village in Dalmarnock.Ian Reid, chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, has previously claimed a slimmed-down version of the event could be organised for around £150m.It would rely entirely on existing sports venues such as Scotstoun athletics stadium, Tollcross swimming pool and the Emirates Arena, which includes the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.Athletes would either be housed in hotels or student accommodation, as the Dalmarnock village built in 2014 has since been sold off.Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney told the Record the return of the Games would be a "great opportunity"."The prospect of hosting a smaller-scale Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is exciting and could serve as the catalyst for much needed development across the city," he said."The proposal for the 2026 Games is entirely different to 2014.