Bol was due to appear alongside Jeroen Weimar, the chief executive of Victoria 2026, at the event organised by the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday (February 3).

He has now been replaced by Liz Watson, the captain of the Australian Diamonds netball team that won the Commonwealth Games gold medal at Birmingham 2022.

Bol had finished second in the 800 metres in the English city, but his reputation is now in danger of being ruined after a positive test for the banned blood-boosting drug erythropoietin last October.

He has protested his innocence.

The 28-year-old was ­expected to be named Young Australian of the Year on Australia Day last Thursday (January 26) but the drugs scandal almost certainly ruled him out of the honour.

Bol’s agent, James Templeton, pledged that they would continue to fight to clear his name.

"I believe in Pete’s innocence 100 per cent, and completely stand by him," Templeton said.

"We can’t do anything but wait for the B sample results.

"If that’s assessed as positive it’s a long and difficult road ahead."

The MCG is due to host the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, but the majority of events are set to be held in regional centres around Victoria.

It is estimated the first regional Commonwealth Games will contribute more than AUD$3 billion (£1.7 billion/$2.1 billion/€1.9 billion) to Victoria’s economy, creating thousands of jobs and creating business opportunities for the State across both Metropolitan and Regional Victoria.

Weimar will discuss what business opportunities the event will bring Victoria.

He will be followed by Watson, who will share her story in a question-and-answer session with master of ceremonies Alicia Loxley, weekend news presenter on Nine News Melbourne and Nine Afternoon News Melbourne.