The Middle Aged Spectator goes to the Commonwealth Games

Having entered the lottery for tickets during 2017, we were fortunate enough to secure tickets to five sessions of three different sports over a seven-day period, and had wonderful experiences. We went twice to the Netball, including the opening match of the tournament (Jamaica v Fiji) in the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, attended two evening sessions of Athletics at Carrara Stadium, and enjoyed a session of Beach Volleyball on the Coolangatta Beachfront.

At each event we were greeted by friendly (and sometimes amusing) ‘Game Shapers’, or volunteers. There were professional ‘comperes’, for lack of a more suitable word, at each event who explained what was going on, entertained us between games, and generally ensured the crowd was involved.

We thoroughly enjoyed it all.

Before they had even begun, there was a great deal of cynical criticism about the Commonwealth Games. This took several forms, but a few in particular came up regularly:

1.       The Commonwealth itself is an anachronism, therefore, these Games are a waste of time.

2.       The Games are basically “Olympics Lite” and the standard hardly better than a high school sports day.

3.       The Gold Coast. Really??

I would have thought that in modern times belonging to a group of friendly nations that actively works together would be a good thing. I am not a monarchist, but I am willing to accept that our modern history is indelibly connected with the nations of the Commonwealth in particular ways. We have a link with Scotland and, yes, with Vanuatu, that we don’t have with Mexico or Japan. As these countries work together politically and in trade, there seems no problem that we should compete in sports as well, especially including those sports distinctive to the Commonwealth.

I wonder if the cynics also pooh-pooh the African Games, the Francophone Games (for nations of French speakers) or the Lusophony Games (for nations where Portuguese is spoken)?

There can be no argument that the depth of competition at the Commonwealth Games cannot compare to the Olympics. That’s hardly a reason not to participate, though. It would be like the Australian soccer team refusing to take part in the Asian Cup because it’s not the World Cup. With world records set in the swimming pool on the first night of competition, and at the Athletics, it was clearly better than a high school sports day. In fact the standard was high through almost all events. I do have concerns, however, when the number of entries in a particular event are so small that an athlete can be assured of a medal before they compete (looking at you, boxing and wrestling).

The other side of that coin is that for Netball and Lawn Bowls, the Commonwealth Games is a de facto World Championship. These two sports are dominated by Commonwealth countries, and the competition is of the highest standard that can be seen anywhere in the world.

The Commonwealth Games, too, have a policy of integration, and in many sports, events for able-bodied and disabled athletes were conducted side by side. This seemed to be welcomed not just by the athletes, but by the crowds in attendance as well.

Gold Coast was a terrific place to visit for the games. Clearly there were some problems that affected locals and local businesses, but as a visitor, it was excellent. The venues were well set up, security was efficient and friendly, and, from our experience, public transport worked a treat. Apart from some rain, well a torrential downpour really, at the Opening Ceremony, the weather was gorgeous.

One thing that does bother me about the Commonwealth Games is the media coverage, especially television, in Australia. The hyperbole that presenters and some commentators carry on with is disturbing and pointless. That commentators and networks have favourite athletes is also an issue. Athletes singled out for this type of attention always seem to have a back story – it’s as if being an athlete isn’t enough. It reminds me, in not a good way, of the profiles used by the same networks for their reality shows. It couldn’t be that commercial television is attempting to turn an event such as the Commonwealth Games into just another reality program? Sport should be a bit better than that, because it shouldn’t be editable, and by its nature, surprises occur. So Channel 7 (this time) looked a bit silly when one of their profiled athletes lost when she was expected to win. Suddenly, some intern must have been scrabbling about trying to create a new story to fit the result. And when networks play favourites they miss other, equally deserving, athletes.

The final word here can go to my new favourite athlete, cyclist Chloe Hosking. (To be fair, I don’t follow cycling closely, and I had never heard of Chloe until this race was on). She said, “It’s so special to win on home soil. People say for road cycling Commonwealth Games isn’t that big a deal but you know what? I’m Commonwealth Games champion and it’s a big fucking deal.”