To me, the Commonwealth Games has always been an obscure event. Why would former British colonies want to come together to celebrate British imperialism? It just never made any sense. Now Australians will be paying $380m not to host the event.
Is it time for this anachronism to come to an end?
-- Edited by dorian on Saturday 19th of August 2023 07:47:00 AM
peter67 said
09:40 AM Aug 19, 2023
It's way more than 380 million taxpayer dollars. The article states "the rest of the settlement will remain confidential"
rgren2 said
09:52 AM Aug 19, 2023
Previously $1.1 Billion to NOT build a freeway.
dorian said
10:02 AM Aug 19, 2023
Then there is the penalty we paid for not building French submarines.
DMaxer said
10:13 AM Aug 19, 2023
I think there was a time when the old Empire Games was like a family reunion at Christmas where all the young former colonies gathered around and tried to show how advanced they had become on the sporting field. Mother England and everyone in the Empire embraced the Esprit de Corps and a great time was had by all. I recall as a kid in the fifties we would describe ourselves on forms as British Subjects, not Australians.
Anyway, this whole tired event has limped along and really it is a just an opportunity for the UK and Australia to hand out a few floggings to the minnows and pretend we are absolute World beaters. In some events such as swimming and the odd athletic event we are, but generally these games just showcase lop sided events whilst hammering out the sponsor's message.
It was probably a good idea at the time when we decided to stage this event but, given the current economic outlook, it is probably a better idea now that we punt it. After all, to the rest of the world it is just a third rate event.
Magnarc said
02:02 PM Aug 19, 2023
There have been times DMaxer when you and I have not been in accord. This time we are!!! The only further comment I'll make is that they do serve to help athletes assess how they are going with their training for Olympic competition.
Gundog said
03:28 PM Aug 19, 2023
Before you pour hot water on the commonwealth games, dont think of them from your prerspective but from the athletes perspective. There are only 2 compertitions in the world that host a variety of sports in a single location is the pinnicale, the Olympic Games is the ultimate compertition, the commonwealth games are no less important to the athletes form the commonwealth.
Our young athletes whatever the sport need high quality events to take the to the top.
DMaxer said
04:02 PM Aug 19, 2023
I always thought the term was "cold water". I don't know how you gauge your progress if all you are doing is flogging a few no hopers.
dorian said
04:09 PM Aug 19, 2023
Gundog wrote:
There are only 2 compertitions in the world that host a variety of sports in a single location is the pinnicale, the Olympic Games is the ultimate compertition, the commonwealth games are no less important to the athletes form the commonwealth.
Nonsense. Athletes derive the best benefit from truly international competition. Anything else is second rate.
Here are just two of the major biennial WORLD championships:
-- Edited by dorian on Saturday 19th of August 2023 04:14:49 PM
yobarr said
04:57 PM Aug 19, 2023
DMaxer wrote:
I always thought the term was "cold water". I don't know how you gauge your progress if all you are doing is flogging a few no hopers.
Probably what the Poms thought during the recent "World Cup".Cheers
Dick0 said
05:34 PM Aug 19, 2023
Gundog wrote:
Before you pour hot water on the commonwealth games, dont think of them from your prerspective but from the athletes perspective. There are only 2 compertitions in the world that host a variety of sports in a single location is the pinnicale, the Olympic Games is the ultimate compertition, the commonwealth games are no less important to the athletes form the commonwealth.
Our young athletes whatever the sport need high quality events to take the to the top.
Well said Mate!
We are part of the Commonwealth Nations and sport competition amongst these Nations is a great opportunity for the sporting community to demonstrate their skills. Sure there are other Venues but the CG is just another opportunity for our athletes to excel.
Gundog said
06:37 PM Aug 19, 2023
dorian wrote:
Gundog wrote:
There are only 2 compertitions in the world that host a variety of sports in a single location is the pinnicale, the Olympic Games is the ultimate compertition, the commonwealth games are no less important to the athletes form the commonwealth.
Nonsense. Athletes derive the best benefit from truly international competition. Anything else is second rate.
Here are just two of the major biennial WORLD championships:
-- Edited by dorian on Saturday 19th of August 2023 04:14:49 PM
Your acting like a petulant child, those sports you are not in any way similar to a Comm or Olympic Game. These games have a assortment of sports participating in one locallity.
Have you ever competed in a national championships that could see you selected for the Comm or Olympic games, I have but but I wasnt good enough to make the National team.
DMaxer said
09:04 AM Aug 20, 2023
I never realised that activity was considered a sport, let alone having a national team.
Victoria reaches $380 million Commonwealth Games compensation settlement after pulling out as 2026 host:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-19/victoria-commonwealth-games-compensation-settlement/102750854
To me, the Commonwealth Games has always been an obscure event. Why would former British colonies want to come together to celebrate British imperialism? It just never made any sense. Now Australians will be paying $380m not to host the event.
Is it time for this anachronism to come to an end?
-- Edited by dorian on Saturday 19th of August 2023 07:47:00 AM
I think there was a time when the old Empire Games was like a family reunion at Christmas where all the young former colonies gathered around and tried to show how advanced they had become on the sporting field. Mother England and everyone in the Empire embraced the Esprit de Corps and a great time was had by all. I recall as a kid in the fifties we would describe ourselves on forms as British Subjects, not Australians.
Anyway, this whole tired event has limped along and really it is a just an opportunity for the UK and Australia to hand out a few floggings to the minnows and pretend we are absolute World beaters. In some events such as swimming and the odd athletic event we are, but generally these games just showcase lop sided events whilst hammering out the sponsor's message.
It was probably a good idea at the time when we decided to stage this event but, given the current economic outlook, it is probably a better idea now that we punt it. After all, to the rest of the world it is just a third rate event.
There have been times DMaxer when you and I have not been in accord. This time we are!!! The only further comment I'll make is that they do serve to help athletes assess how they are going with their training for Olympic competition.
Before you pour hot water on the commonwealth games, dont think of them from your prerspective but from the athletes perspective. There are only 2 compertitions in the world that host a variety of sports in a single location is the pinnicale, the Olympic Games is the ultimate compertition, the commonwealth games are no less important to the athletes form the commonwealth.
Our young athletes whatever the sport need high quality events to take the to the top.
I always thought the term was "cold water". I don't know how you gauge your progress if all you are doing is flogging a few no hopers.
Nonsense. Athletes derive the best benefit from truly international competition. Anything else is second rate.
Here are just two of the major biennial WORLD championships:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Athletics_Championships
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FINA_World_Aquatics_Championships
Plenty more here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_world_sports_championships
-- Edited by dorian on Saturday 19th of August 2023 04:14:49 PM
Probably what the Poms thought during the recent "World Cup".Cheers
Well said Mate!
We are part of the Commonwealth Nations and sport competition amongst these Nations is a great opportunity for the sporting community to demonstrate their skills. Sure there are other Venues but the CG is just another opportunity for our athletes to excel.
Your acting like a petulant child, those sports you are not in any way similar to a Comm or Olympic Game. These games have a assortment of sports participating in one locallity.
Have you ever competed in a national championships that could see you selected for the Comm or Olympic games, I have but but I wasnt good enough to make the National team.