After going to the 1984 Games as a rowing cox for Wales and then eventually becoming chief executive of Commonwealth Games Wales for 16 years, Jenkins became so passionate about the Games’ future he even wrote a PhD on how to make the Games more sustainable.
He is now bringing that research into his work as the CGF’s president – and he is confident of the progress he has made.
Jenkins’ first big task was securing a host for 2026. It came in the form of Glasgow, who will put on an event of ten sports over four venues.
No road events will take place, such as the marathon or cycling road events. Existing accommodation – including some hotels – will be used to house the athletes.
“I think Glasgow’s the start,” said Jenkins. “Glasgow’s showing how you can co-create.
“We’ve taken 50-plus percent of the costs out. It’s going to be a very, very compact Games.
“But also I think it is going to showcase the first phase of the reset. Using existing accommodation, existing venues, using indoor facilities really well – perhaps for ceremonies.
“So that’s one aspect of what I find exciting about Glasgow.”
But while Glasgow is being praised for offering a “compact” Games, in future they could be anything but.
Games spread over multiple cities and even countries are possible going forward.
For Jenkins, one of the main ways to make the event cheaper is not to build anything. He wants prospective hosts to first look at what they could put on themselves and then ask a neighbouring city – or nation – to pick up other events if they have existing facilities.
It could open the possibility of the Games coming back to Wales for the first time since Cardiff hosted the then-British Empire Games in 1958.
“Some cities can host a whole Games,” Jenkins maintained.
“Or a country could host it. I don’t want to name a country but there are several I can think of where it’d be better spread over a country. If we hosted in Wales it probably would be a few cities or a few towns in Wales.
“But also, taking it a step further, there are some countries where they have some facilities and their neighbour has the other. What we’d say is: don’t build, use existing venues, use existing accommodation. That could be co-hosting.
“So that does change the model quite dramatically and that’s got a lot of enthusiasm among our members.”
