The schedule for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has been announced, despite a host broadcaster yet to be confirmed.
Although the BBC have covered the event since 1954, they have yet to agree a deal, and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has told Mail Sport he would prefer to keep broadcasting of the Games on a live, free-to-air basis.
More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories are set to compete in the slimmed-down Games, which will feature 10 sports across four venues in the city from July 23 to August 2.
And, for the first time in Commonwealth Games history, the first medal will be awarded to a Para sport, which will be in powerlifting.
Para sports will be fully integrated across six of the 10 disciplines, with a Games record of 47 medal events in total.
However, while work moves apace behind the scenes, fears remain over the failure to secure an agreement to show them on TV.
John Swinney meets Finnie, the face of Glasgow 2026, at the official mascot launch
Scottish long-distance running star Eilish McColgan meets Finnie at Kelvingrove Art Gallery
Usain Bolt was a ratings winner for the BBC during their coverage of the Glasgow 2014 Games
Mail Sport understands there has been a reluctance to commit by the BBC, with sources suggesting a ‘waning appetite’ at the corporation despite their long association with the event.
Asked if he might back a subscription model, with highlights broadcast free-to-air, First Minister Swinney insisted he would ‘rather keep it on the free-to-air basis that we’ve had, because that is the inclusive way to take these issues forward’.
He said: ‘There are discussions under way. There was a discussion with the Commonwealth Games organisers last week at the launch of the mascot Finnie, which was a lovely, joyful occasion.
‘I do hope that an agreement can be reached. I think it’s important.
‘This is a really significant sporting occasion. We’ve gone to a lot of careful planning and thought to make sure that the Games could take place. They were in jeopardy.
‘We’ve come to a solution of a slimmed-down Games which I think will be a really attractive proposition, but it would benefit from broadcasting rights domestically.’
The lack of certainty, however, is leading to increasing concerns for the event in Glasgow and the future of the Games.
Last week Conservative MSP Brian Whittle claimed their future could be in doubt if the BBC are not involved, and urged the UK government to step in if necessary.
Insisting he would speak to the BBC, leader of the Scottish Labour Party Anas Sarwar said: ‘The Commonwealth Games is a positive advert for Scotland as long as we project it right, and that’s partly the responsibility of our media and our state media.’
CEO of Glasgow 2026, Phil Batty, would not be drawn on the current situation with the national broadcaster, but said last week that talks with numerous parties were ongoing.
