Commonwealth Games Chief Looks To Bright, "Edgy" Future

The Commonwealth Games must be "modern and edgy" to stay relevant to a young audience, according to federation chief Katie Sadleir, who praised 2022 host city Birmingham for an "outstanding job". The 57-year-old former synchronised swimmer said the Games must show how "they are different and individual" from other events in a cluttered sporting calendar.

The 2022 Games, featuring competitors from 72 nations and territories, many of which are former British colonies, came to an end on Monday, with Australia top of the medals table.

Sadleir, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief executive, said ticket sales in the Midlands city were close to matching those of Melbourne in 2006 and the Games had run smoothly despite numerous obstacles.

Birmingham stepped in to organise the Games at relatively short notice after Durban, in South Africa, was forced to pull out due to a number of issues including financial problems.

The city also faced the huge hurdle of coronavirus but succeeded in putting on an event that created a real buzz.

The 2026 Games, to be held in the Australian state of Victoria, will be spread over four hubs -- Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Gippsland -- rather than centred on one city.

Sadleir hopes that will serve as a model for future events, offering potential bidders more flexibility.

A CGF "roadmap" for the future was rolled out in October, a month before Sadleir took up her role after five years as general manager of women's rugby at World Rugby.

In future, hosts will be able to feature sports that are relevant to their country, with swimming and athletics the only mandatory events.

"A flexible sports programme brings in sports that are important to you (the host)," said Sadleir.

"Lets look at them