Why Tasmania's 2026 Commonwealth Games bid could work

Sport — some people think of it as nothing more than the pointless chasing of a ball around a field.

Others can see past the shouting, sweating and ridiculous outfits and understand that it is, alongside science and the arts, one of the few chances for human beings to show what they are capable of, to reach beyond their abilities and surpass expectations.

Tasmania wants that chance too — and it seems is prepared to pay a stupid amount of money for the opportunity, after announcing it is «formally requesting» it be given consideration to play a part as a host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Yes, you read that correctly: Tasmania wants to host the Commonwealth Games, four years from now.

Some might say that managing to host a three-day cricket match without too much going wrong is hardly enough evidence on which to deduce that Tasmania could competently run an event with upwards of 5,000 athletes and officials over two weeks — not to mention the hundreds of thousands of spectators.

Hobart and Launceston could host the 2026 Commonwealth Games under a bold bid to take the athletic showpiece to Tasmania.

Some might say Tasmania has none of the sports infrastructure needed for such an event.

Some might point out the lack of hospitality staff, rental cars, public transport, airport capacity, suitable arterial roadways or available accommodation.

Some, no doubt, will suggest there are better things a government should be spending money on.

Some might comment, quite correctly, that 2026 is only four years away and too soon to be able to pull together an event of such an epic scale.

These are likely the same people who want NASA to stop exploring space.

Tasmanians think big: Perhaps there is no better example than their relentless pursuit