Tara Murray
Athletes from Melbourne’s north-west are among those who will suffer from the cancelling of the Commonwealth Games in Victoria.
Athletes, coaches and fans were among those shocked on Tuesday, when the news broke that the 2026 Games wouldn’t go ahead in regional Victoria.
For many athletes it would have been the biggest opportunity to race or compete in their home country.
Celeste Mucci is one athlete who was targeting the games. Mucci, who is part of Williamstown Athletics Club, has competed at two Games.
Her coach Darren Clark said she was disappointed like a lot of other athletes.
“Celeste has competed at two Games,” he said. “In 2018 at the Gold Coast and then at Birmingham last year.
“The Gold Coast was her first Australian senior team. Both had an amazing atmosphere and are some of the highlights of her career.
“She is disappointed that Victoria won’t be hosting them in 2026.”
Mucci finished fourth in the heptathlon in 2018, before making the finals in the 100 metre hurdles and 4 x 100 metre relay in 2022.
Clark said while World Championships are bigger events overall, which Mucci has also attended, the Commonwealth Games has been the highest level of competition she’s competed in at home.
Mucci wasn’t the only athlete of Clark’s who was targeting the Commonwealth Games. Clark works at Maribyrnong Sports Academy and said a number of those athletes were also left disappointed by the news.
“We had four alumni compete at Birmingham,” he said. “There was a lot of excitement at school and a lot of senior athletes that would have been targeting the Games in Victoria.
“I’ve spoken to a few who were disappointed and a bit unsure whether it would go ahead at all.”
The impact of the gGames not being at home goes deeper than on the track or in the pool.
Clark, like fellow Williamstown coach Robbie Spencer, said the cancelling of the Games could cost athletes much needed sponsorship.
“Athletics is at the forefront,” Spencer said. “Big games like this make it at the forefront and they’re talked about and on everyone’s mind.
“Doing really well at a local event helps gain sponsorships. It’s hard at times to get sponsorship when you’re always overseas.”
Western Athletics Peter Cashin said he understands why the Games were cancelled, but said it was disappointing.
Cashin said there would have been several athletes looking at the Games, including his daughter Amy Cashin, who competed at the 2022 Games.
“The sport of track and field needs that level of competition,” he said. “Most would be a bit surprised and a bit disappointed.”
Cashin said the 2006 Games opened Amy’s eyes to sport as she was part of the opening ceremony and attended as a spectator.
He said it had a real impact on her and he thinks helped build her love for the spots.
Cashin said sporting organisations like athletics and little athletes clubs also benefited from the Games, with an influx of new members following big events.
Cashin said he was hoping that the Games would go ahead to give the athletes the chance to compete.
