Sir Chris Hoy backs Glasgow 2026 for ‘massive success’

Sir Chris Hoy has fond memories of the Commonwealth Games and is convinced the Glasgow event, which starts next week, will be a “massive success” despite a scaled-down format.

The stripped-back configuration features 10 sports, using just four venues in the city, with a budget of around £150m.

The 2014 Games in Glasgow included 18 different sports and cost more than £550m to stage.

“Twelve years ago, it was an incredible event and I’m sure Glasgow is going to put on a fantastic show,” cycling great Hoy told BBC Breakfast.

“I think it will be an amazing Games we will all remember.”

Running from 23 July to 2 August, Glasgow stepped in after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as host due to rising costs.

The model does not involve direct public funding and the change of scale is reflected in the athletics.

A temporarily expanded Scotstoun Stadium will have room for 11,000 spectators, while the Hampden Park capacity during Glasgow 2014 was at 44,000.

This time there are no events on the streets of the city, such as the marathon and cycling road races.

Hoy, 50, is a two-time Commonwealth gold medallist, winning the 1km time trial in 2002 and team sprint in 2006, along with Craig MacLean and Ross Edgar.

“The joy for me was getting to compete for Scotland – that’s unique to the Commonwealth Games,” he explained, adding that watching the 1986 Games in his home city of Edinburgh was the “catalyst” for a glittering career.