Scott Thompson: Hamilton should, at least, investigate hosting 100th Commonwealth Games.

Hamilton hosted the first Empire Games, which went on the become the Commonwealth Games, back in 1930.

Coming up in 2030 is the 100^th anniversary of the event.

Hamilton council voted not to investigate hosting the event despite the mayor saying we have nothing to lose by simply asking for information.

The Commonwealth Games were originally devised to bring the countries of the British Commonwealth together in goodwill and to get to know one another.

That really isn’t needed anymore, but it is still considered to be a premier sporting event that helps athletes train towards Olympic gold.

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Mayor Fred Eisenberger was quite clear on this show why we bother chasing such events.

It brings with it infrastructure money that leaves a legacy the city would otherwise be without.

The stadium is a perfect example.

I can see vigorously debating whether or not we should be involved, once we know what levels of government and partners are interested, but only after we have the information.

To not even investigate the possibility for the next generation 13 years from now, is simply politically selfish.

It would be like facing a door of opportunity to open.

But instead of opening it and seeing what is inside, and then evaluating whether or not it is worth venturing inside, we simply walk away.

Turning around and never opening the door, never knowing what could have been.

That doesn’t sound very ambitious.