As the games head towards its close I think it’s safe to conclude that the Commonwealth Games have been a success for athletes, nations and Glasgow itself.
Records have been broken, debuts made and final races ran all to the noise of the Glasgow roar.
And with the quiet lull in England HQ while all this success is taking place I have been lucky enough to attend several events, witnessing many of the stories that have made these commonwealth games special for so many; attending swimming, boxing, hockey, diving, netball and athletics. And yet I thought attending the open ceremony couldn’t be topped.
Firstly I witnessed young Scottish lad Murdoch beating Jamieson to a rather deafening crowd at Tollcross. Leaving with less hearing than i had when i walked in and pure shock over the fact Glasgow’s poster boy had been beaten.
I have also witnessed Greg Rutherford winning his Gold Medal in the Long Jump at Hampden park. A sight to be marveled. After a good opening jump, Rutherford then jumped 8.20 (a distance which would make sure he won gold) stood to the crowd and shrugged his arms as if it was nothing. Speaking to him in the village the next day after five hours of media in the morning, he was still on a high and revelling the in crowds support the previous night.
A quick dash across to the diving a day or two later and I have spotted diving superstar Tom Daley supporting our England representatives in the mens 3m springboard final respectively claiming gold and bronze places.
On to the hockey and it was a day of drizzle for the Men’s Hockey Semis. England faced the might of Australia and struggled to take any of the chances they made throughout the games. Australia had the flare on the wet astro and easily took the game away from England despite the likes of Dixon in the English defence. And even in the dismal weather the support for both teams was fantastic with the Glasgow roar remaining throughout.
Oh, and don’t worry my fellow UYNC girls, I of course made a stop of at the SECC to watch some netball, seeing the likes of Australia beat South Africa and a close game between New Zealand and Jamaica in which a certain Usain Bolt was in attendance after his remarks against the games in comparison to London. Cleary doing damage control Bolt sat and waved the Jamaican flag with a smile.
While I have been thrilled with the opportunities to go and watch live sport, much of my spectatorship has taken place in the comfort of England HQ offcie where constant shouts of ‘come on’ and ‘yes’ can be heard throughout the day. Watching the England netball girls take on Australia had the whole team and volunteers alike crowded around the television screen crossing our fingers in the hope that England could hang on. Unfortunately it was not to be, but the spirit just in the office was certainly mimicking the spirit of team England. A team which I am very proud to be a part of.
As the games head towards the close I am willing it to last a few more days, but alas everything must come to an end and I intend to enjoy these last few days as much as possible.