The curtailed Commonwealth Games highlights the diminishing relevance of the erstwhile British Empire’s sporting tradition. Glasgow, the host in 2014, saved the Games from embarrassment by proposing a scaled-down version — with 10 integrated disciplines, across four venues within an eight-mile corridor. Even though the Commonwealth Games do not match the global or regional excellence of the Olympics or the Asian Games, the platform still holds a strong appeal for Indian sportspersons and administrators. Multiple athletes across disciplines have been caught for consuming banned substances even in the run-up to Glasgow 2026. As the country prepares to organise a bigger Commonwealth Games — especially against the backdrop of the corruption-tainted Delhi 2010 edition — it would do well to enhance its vigilance to curb financial malpractices and promote clean sport over the next four years.