Sir Chris Hoy has backed Glasgow 2026 to be a ‘massive success’

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

There are 10 sports in a stripped-back configuration, using only four venues in the city, with a budget of around $150 million.

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

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

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

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

The model does not involve direct public funding and changes in scale are reflected in athletics.

A temporarily expanded Scotstown Stadium will have room for 11,000 spectators, compared to Hampden Park’s capacity of 44,000 during Glasgow 2014.

This time there are no events like marathons and cycling road races on city streets.

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

“It was a pleasure for me to compete for Scotland – it’s unique to the Commonwealth Games,” he explained, adding that watching the 1986 Games in his hometown of Edinburgh was the “catalyst” for a brilliant career.