New Delhi, July 23 -- In an evolving world where nations are defining their own identity, the Commonwealth seems like a tenuous link to a colonial past. And the relevance of the Commonwealth Games, which brings together countries that were once part of the British Empire, again came under the scanner when the original hosts of the 2026 edition, the state of Victoria in Australia, pulled out due to rising costs in July 2023.

Glasgow stepped in to host the Games, but lack of time and budget has resulted in a scaled-down edition with only 10 core sports and no athletes' village.

While the Games may have lost some of its sheen, they may serve as the perfect comeback platform for three of India's sporting icons: Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgoh...