Aussie Athletes Advised to Pack Extra Underwear as Cost-Cutting Hits Commonwealth Games
In an unexpected turn of events, Australian athletes preparing for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have been advised to bring along extra underwear, signaling a significant shift in the usual provisions typically offered at such prestigious sporting events. Team management has communicated that the customary luxury of a daily laundry service will not be available this year, prompting a need for athletes to prepare accordingly to ensure they are not caught unprepared.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games, set to be held in Glasgow, has an estimated budget of AU$400 million, with a substantial portion of these funds—nearly half—sourced from Victorian taxpayers recently compensated for their withdrawal as hosts of the 2023 event. This financial strain has led to significant scaling back of the Games, including reducing the number of sports from 20 to a mere ten, thus transforming the event into a much less grand occasion than in previous years.
In line with these budget cuts, traditional accommodations such as the ‘Athletes Village’ have been scrapped, with athletes and officials now required to stay at existing lodgings near their respective venues. This departure from the previous model, where all participants were housed together in a dedicated, purpose-built facility, has raised concerns about athlete comfort and overall logistical efficiency during the Games.
Approximately 250 athletes from Australia will now have access to laundry services only bi-weekly, a stark contrast to the daily cleaning services normally associated with such large-scale sporting events. This new protocol has been stated by team chef de mission Petria Thomas, who emphasizes the importance of packing enough personal items to avoid uncomfortable situations. “We’ve encouraged athletes to bring spare smalls, just in case,” Thomas stated in an interview, humorously highlighting the need for practicality amidst the shifting norms.
The Commonwealth Games are scheduled to run from July 23 to August 6, with specific events such as swimming occurring from July 24 to 29, and athletics set to take place from July 27 to August 1. As the countdown continues, it remains to be seen how these cost-cutting measures will affect the athletes’ performances and overall experience at the Games.
