1986 Commonwealth Games Host City

[Triplej]

Can anyone remember the circumstances that caused Edinburgh to host the 1986 Commonwealth Games?

I seem to recall that Edinburgh volunteered after the original host withdrew.

Which city was originally going to be the host and why could they not host?

[mump boy]

Re: 1986 Commonwealth Games Host City

Can anyone remember the circumstances that caused Edinburgh to host the 1986 Commonwealth Games?

I seem to recall that Edinburgh volunteered after the original host withdrew.

Which city was originally going to be the host and why could they not host?

i don't rememer that but there was a big boycott of african countries and Robert maxwell had to donate money or something

[mump boy]

from wikipedia

Despite the popular success of the previous 1970 British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, the 1986 Games are remembered with considerable notoriety due to a large political boycott and financial mismanagement. The games were boycotted by a large number of African, Asian and Caribbean countries, reducing them almost to a whites-only affair. In all 32 of the 59 Commonwealth nations due to take part boycotted the Games. The boycott was over the Thatcher Government's attitude towards British sporting links with apartheid-era South Africa. Further controversy came about when it was revealed that due to the lack of participation and associated decline in anticipated broadcasting and sponsorship revenues, the Organising Committee was facing a serious financial black hole, and the boycott ended any prospect of securing emergency government assistance. Businessman Robert Maxwell stepped in to offer funding, taking over as chairman, but despite promising to invest £2m, Maxwell's contribution was just £250,000. On a budget of £14m, the Games opened with a deficit of £3m, which grew to £4.3m. Instead of putting enough money into the event to save it, the new chairman of the Games asked creditors to forego half the payment due to them to keep the event out of liquidation. The debt was finally paid off in 1989, with the city of Edinburgh losing approximately £500,000. [1]

[Triplej]

I'm very much aware of what went on at the games. Does anyone remember why Edinburgh had to step in?

[George Matthews]

I remember the Games vividly as a warning for Sports events never to throw themselves at the mercy of Capitalist businessmen with dubious motives.
American readers will probably know Robert Maxwell best for his brief hold on the New York Post, but British readers will know him far better for his tyrannical management style, colossal ego and still unexplained death.
Edinburgh 86 was effectively supplanted by Maxwell and his Mirror Group newspapers for some cheap publicity at the expense of the BBC who broadcast the event. Maxwell promised to underwrite the costs of the Games [he didn't] but he managed to maintain an extremely high profile throughout. Imagine Don King in the newspaper business and you might get an idea of his presence. Edinburgh ended up paying for the Games for many years after and it was a pretty shoddy affair all around. Weather apalling, atmosphere desultory, and the omnipresent Maxwell everywhere in his newspaper. Awful.

[Triplej]

The question is which city was supposed to host the games before Edinburgh did?

[Daisy]

The question is which city was supposed to host the games before Edinburgh did?

Maybe the answer is none?

[Triplej]

Maybe the answer is none?

I don't think so. It doesn't make sense that the games were held in Edinburgh only 16 years after they hosted the 1970 games unless it was under unusual circumstances. I also remember reading something about the fact that the 1986 games were supposed to be held somewhere else but they hastily had to be moved (I don't know the reason) and Edinburgh was able to deliver as it still had the venues from the 1970 games.

[Daisy]

It all sounds plausible. I actually lived in Edinburgh during the eighties but I don't recall anything like that, although, I don't recall them bidding for the games either.

[Vault-emort]

On 15th July 1980, Edinburgh was announced as the host-city for the 1986 Games, being the only candidate.

Games officials were understood to be disappointed that no African, West Indian or Asian cities had put a bid in.

It's worth remembering that after Montreal 1976, many countries were scared of the cost of conducting Games.

[Triplej]

On 15th July 1980, Edinburgh was announced as the host-city for the 1986 Games, being the only candidate.

Much appreciated.