Aussie athletes told to pack spare underwear as Comm Games cost-cutting bites

[p]The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are being run at an estimated cost of AU$400m, half of which has come from Victorian taxpayers as compensation for their withdrawal as hosts of the event in 2023. [/p][p]The number of sports has been halved from 20 to ten in a vastly scaled down event that has also seen the traditional 'Athletes Village' and most of its related provisions scrapped. [/p][p]Australia's contingent of roughly 250 athletes, as well as all other participants at the Comm Games, will be staying at existing accommodation close to their relevant venues, in a break with the expensive tradition of housing all athletes and officials in one purpose-built hub. [/p][p]As a result of their own budget constraints, Australian team management will be offering laundry services to their athletes only twice a week, instead of the daily service that would be provided by a traditional village. [/p][p]"[b]We’ve encouraged athletes to bring spare smalls, just in case,[/b]" team chef de mission Petria Thomas told AAP on Tuesday.[/p][p]"[b]No one wants to be caught going commando![/b]"[/p][p]The Games will run from July 23 to August 6, with the swimming program taking place from July 24-29 and the athletics meeting from July 27 to August 1.[/p][infobox id="d39bc573-b9dd-4b87-acb9-2de1f22d36c7" /]