McColgan: Glasgow sets template for future Games with low-budget model
Scottish runner Eilish McColgan praises Glasgow for organizing the Commonwealth Games on a tight budget and hopes it inspires other countries.
Scottish distance runner Eilish McColgan, currently in Glasgow to enjoy the Commonwealth Games, has praised the city for stepping up after Australia's Victoria state withdrew. She says Glasgow's approach—using existing infrastructure and working under tight deadlines—could set a template for future multi-sport events.
"It's not the big shiny games that we've had in previous years, but it's been done on tight timeframes so I think they've done well to pull it together," McColgan said. "Glasgow has stepped up. And I hope that other countries now see that it doesn't need to have this huge, huge budget to make it work. We don't need brand-new infrastructure or stadiums and all the athletes staying in a big village."
She emphasized that such games still have mass-market appeal and hopes this model gives the Games a future. "It would be sad to lose it, and lose the opportunity to represent Scotland," she added.
McColgan also reflected on her personal journey, saying she lacked confidence growing up. "Making a Scotland team felt like it might be doable because there's a smaller number of people to get selected. That's what the Games can do."
