commonwealth games.

[aprilanne]

hi i was just sitting here thinking that these commonwealth games are not much more than the home nation,s competing against each other and are giving the athletes the impression they are world class .i mean no america in athletics .no america /russia in gymnastics .sorry but i think its not been great .and i am scottish .and we should not be having a rebel song masking as a national anthem .great song at new year but not on when english competetor standing beside them .

[ivykaty44]

I don't think that you would convince any welsh or Scottish athletes to compete in the commonwealth games as a British athlete, surely they would say they were part of the commonwealth in their own right.

Would this apply also to rugby when they play the five nations and thus reduce it to two nations..?

[HesterShaw]

I think you're confusing the whole concept of the Commonwealths with the Olympics. No one has ever pretending they are world class in every single event, due to the fact that you get people from places like Norfolk Island competing. BTW there are more than four home nations.

They're nicknamed the Friendly Games for a reason. Perhaps the Olympics should be nicknamed the Cynical Corporate Games.

[HesterShaw]

PretendED

[Abra1d]

My Scottish husband is embarrassed by having Flower of Scotland. First on grounds of the English-bashing and second on grounds of its dirge-like tune.

[LapsedTwentysomething]

Well I've been watching some pretty impressive gymnastics this afternoon. Not remotely bothered that the world isn't involved because I'm well aware I'm watching the Commonwealth Games and not the Olympics.

[HesterShaw]

Good point about Radisha. Hee got the world record in the last Olympics and only got silver in the 800 last night. As for there being no Americans taking part in the athletics therefore it's rubbish, last time I looked Kenya and Jamaica were in the Commonwealth and are generally hailed as great athletic nations.

But that's beside the point IMO.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

We saw Louis Smith compete in the team finals on Tuesday

[SeattleGraceMercyDeath]

Mediocre? It's hardly a track event held at your local high school. World class athletes competing in world class events. I'm sure however they'll be devastated to hear you think they're a bit crap. From the comfort of your settee...

[spanieleyes]

And Kiribati has just won its first EVER medal at the games, he was so chuffed!

[Floralnomad]

I think the games have been really fun , especially as you can watch athletics on the red button and not have to put up with the inane comments of Denise Lewis .

[HesterShaw]

Oh yes, I just love it when people are determined to find how things are done in their own country "embarrassing". Remember the number of people who were certain the Olympics would be an "embarrassment" in the run up to the Olympics, and how they waxed lyrically and enthusiastically about how we in Britain couldn't organise anything? They were particularly delighted with the G4 fuck up, as I recall, and were championed by the Daily Mail and its readers. It must have been a very awkward feeling when London 2012 was a runaway success.

[TheBogQueen]

I really enjoyed watching young people getting medals, they are so proud of themselves, seeing them celebrating with their families. One mother running over to show her two little girls her gold medal .

It's such an achievement and I love the fact that so many are students or have full time jobs.

I love that the para games are mixed in so you find yourself watching them and marvelling at the grit and ingenuity.

It's been brilliant in Glasgow, we've had a ball.

As for the songs

I rather like Jerusalem (am English) it's better than that god save the queen dirge

[aprilanne]

true about the scottish cringe bit have you seen the bloody official tartan

[Mybigfatredwedding]

I do See what you are saying OP - I have really enjoyed watching the events but the standard in a lot (although by no means all) of the sports is not world class. If you win at the Commonwealth games you are the best in the um, Commonwealth, which lets face it is mostly made up of countries which have neither the population or funding to produce top class athletes.

A lot of the medal winners of the Commonwealth Games wouldn't even get near an Olympics/world championships medal, but then again I guess that is one of the good things about it.

But London 2012 it ain't.

[stargirl1701]

YABU. It's been fab. Great sport and fabulous showcase for Glasgow.

I do agree about the anthem. I would much prefer Scotland the Brave!

[Ludways]

It's the only other big multi sport games other than the Olympics, it's fantastic and something the commonwealth countries should be proud of.

Granted not all world champions are there but plenty of world champions are there and they're all proud to be competing and any medals won are up there with Olympics, Europeans and World medals.

[aprilanne]

thanks my bigfatredwedding .thats all i was trying to say .

[Optimist1]

I couldn't care less about any nation's anthem, but am thrilled with the current games (and TV/internet coverage). It's great to have world class competition in the friendly atmosphere, and in particular to have the disabled competitors so well integrated.

[Ludways]

Obviously anyone would rather win an olympic medal, but commonwealths still inspire the athletes.

[trixymalixy]

YABU, the atmosphere in Glasgow is amazing!! All the athletes and visitors are loving it.

I was there to see Kiribati win their first ever medal the other night. What a moment!!!

[Chorister]

Well we have thoroughly enjoyed the games so far. I w

We didn't get any tickets in the initial ballot (despite having applied for swimming, gymnastics, diving, cycling and athletics events) and at the last moment managed to get tickets for the preliminary rounds of the badminton. We were there last night and it was amazing. We managed to get court side seats and my 9yo was transfixed to the games the entire time. The staff were wonderful, the volunteers brilliant and even the trains were running well! There was an amazing atmosphere, the home nations were loudly supported by all, and my children were able to experience something truly special.

We will be heading up to Glasgow Green tomorrow to soak up a bit of the atmosphere and round of the games for us.

We have been watching on TV too and I think it's amazing to see these world class athletes competing on our doorstep.

I tend to think of Auld Lang Syne as the new year song, can't think of the last time we sang Flower of Scotland after the bells.

[Chorister]

Stupid phone!

I wanted to finish by saying YABVVU.

[EElisavetaofBelsornia]

Flower of Scotland reminds me a bit of marching in NI - harping on about historical battles and hyping up negative feelings about other groups. I loved the stadium full of people singing 500 miles when Ailie Child got the silver medal, maybe that could be the new anthem?