91Èȱ¬

Baroness Grey-Thompson says it is vital the 2026 Commonwealth Games were rescued following confirmation Glasgow will host the next edition of the event.

The Australian state of Victoria had originally been due to host the Games but withdrew as a result of rising costs.

Glasgow is set to hold a scaled-down version of the event, featuring fewer sports and athletes.

Despite the fact some athletes will miss out on competing, Baroness Grey-Thompson said the format change represents the "start of something new".

"I think it's really important the Commonwealth Games are being kept. It gives the federation time to look at where the next can be held," the 11-time Paralympic gold medallist told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Wales Breakfast.

"The big Games are looking at sustainability. They are looking at what events should and shouldn't be held there. So I think it's the start of something new and different."

The 2026 Games will see see 10 sports take place across four venues in the city of Glasgow.

The budget for the Games is expected to be about £114m.

A total of 17 sports took place when Glasgow last hosted the Games in 2014, at a cost of £543m.

And Gareth Davies, chair for Team Wales at Commonwealth Games Wales, believes the successful Glasgow bid represents a triumph given the finances involved to host a Games.

"Everyone's very happy with the news that came through," he told Dros Frecwast."It's a period to look at a different model now.

"Lots of ideas have been thrown in, for example, do the Games have to happen in one centre?

"There's plenty of support for the Games, but like many things in life at the moment, the problem is the money."