The Commonwealth Games in Melbourne

[oggbashan]

I watched edited highlights of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Some of the names in the relay with the baton to open the Games brought back memories. Herb Elliot actually walked on water across the River Yarra. That was an in-joke because many Australians thought that he was that important. One of the relay carriers (all of them noted Australian sportspeople from the past) was a Mayor of Surfer's Paradise, Queensland. He handed the baton to the Governor of South Australia. How many sportspeople do you know who have risen in politics?

The Commonwealth Games have been known as 'The Friendly Games'. The 91 countries present represent one-third of the world. Some of them you would have difficulty finding on a map. The United Kingdom is split into:

England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Guernsey
Jersey and
The Isle of Man.

There are some very small countries represented. Naui Island in the South Pacific has sent 3 per cent of its 1200 population as their team. Both their only boxers are included, and their rugby team.

Norfolk Island is the smallest country with a few hundred people. Their team is a higher percentage of their population. There must be almost no one left at home. Their bowls team has been unfortunate. They have been drawn to face Australia, then New Zealand, both of them favourites for medals.

The TV coverage brought back memories for me. I rowed on the Yarra many times in an eight. The procession of surf lifeboats up the Yarra was a real surprise. I used to be part of the crew of a surf lifeboat on duty most weekends. Melbourne may have changed out of all recognition but the Yarra and most of the bridges over it are just I knew them were xx years ago. I won't say HOW long ago, but it was soon after the Melbourne Olympics.

If you can, watch the swimming. Australian swimmers are the best in the world, particularly their women. The commentators' arguments are not about whether the Australian women will win medals but whether they will win 80%, 90% or ALL of them.

If I am missing from the AH for a few days - I'm watching Melbourne.

Og

 

[TheEarl]

I've been watching the Rugby 7s for the past hour and a bit actually. Niue Island scored a try against Scotland, which was very well received by the entire crowd. In any match they're involved in, the only people cheering for the opposition will be the opposition fans. Any neutral will pull for the tiny country.

They've got 1,200 people and let's assume they're 50/50 split of men and women. Therefore, there's 600 men. Assume that 2/3 of those are too old or too young to play rugby, which leaves 200. There are 12 people in a 7s squad, so, theoretically, any Niuean has roughly a 1 in 16 chance of being in the squad.

The Earl

 

[TheEarl]

Just a note to say that Tonga have just beaten South Africa (third or fourth favourites) in the rugby!

Uganda have just kicked off their first ever Commonwealth Games match.

The Earl

 

[matriarch]

I'd forgotten they were on, and out here in the colonies (as opposed to the commonwealth), I doubt they'll even get a mention over and above Spring Training for baseball (big boys' rounders, ).

We won't be back in UK until 4 April. I'm assuming this will be wayyyy too late.

*sigh*

 

[TheEarl]

I'd forgotten they were on, and out here in the colonies (as opposed to the commonwealth), I doubt they'll even get a mention over and above Spring Training for baseball (big boys' rounders, ).

We won't be back in UK until 4 April. I'm assuming this will be wayyyy too late.

*sigh*

You can watch it from the BBC Sport website. www.bbc.co.uk/sport

That's what I'm doing as we speak. England have just beaten the Cook Islands in the 7s. A guy named Ashley Drake has just made himself very popular with the Australian crowd by scoring against England!

The Earl

Edited to say that Australia are just kicking off against Sri Lanka if you want to watch. COME ON SRI LANKA!