The Glasgow Commonwealth Games proved to be much more than just ‘Friendly’ as Scottish culture, sport and six-times Olympic champion Usain Bolt combined to create a memorable 11-day event.
The success of the Games was assured with the golden seal of approval from Bolt, one of the world’s most recognizable athletes, whose cameo in Jamaica’s sprint relay triumph lit up Scotland’s biggest city.
Inevitably, Bolt stole the show, providing one of the images of the “Friendly Games” as he returned home with a gold medal from his maiden Commonwealth appearance.
The Games provided few truly jaw-dropping sporting moments, but they will be remembered for the spirit in which athletes and visitors from the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories were greeted by crowds determined to enjoy the party.
“In my view, they are the standout Games in the history of the movement,” Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper said. “The way in which the people of Scotland and Glasgow have embraced the Games right from the get-go has been incredible.”
With England’s double Olympic champion Mo Farah pulling out, it was left to the world’s fastest man Bolt to provide the glamor and boost TV ratings, but there was no shortage of quality on show, from the netball courts, to the judo mats, the swimming pool and the velodrome.
After reportedly making disparaging remarks about the Games, eight-times world champion Bolt did not disappoint when he finally arrived at the Hampden Park track to rapturous cheers from a capacity crowd.
“It’s always great to have fun with the fans. They made the Games what it was. They are so warm, even when I was cold they were always warm,” Bolt, the 100m and 200m world record holder, said of his time in Glasgow.
Having anchored Jamaica to victory in the 4x100m relay to give the crowd the result they craved, Bolt continued his Scottish charm offensive by donning a tartan hat and scarf while performing his “lightning bolt” celebration and posing for selfies with ticket holders.
“I’m happy for the fans and I’m happy to get my Commonwealth gold medal. It [the Commonwealth Games] was always on my to-do list,” Bolt said. “Other than the weather, it’s been brilliant.”
There were few incidents to mar the feast of sporting action, but two failed drugs tests did cast a shadow.
Nigeria’s 16-year-old weightlifter Chika Amalaha was stripped of her gold medal after failing a doping test and Botswana’s former 400m world champion Amantle Montsho also tested positive for a banned substance.
However, among the 6,500 athletes representing 71 mostly former British colonies, there were many heart-warming stories.
Kiribati celebrated its first Commonwealth medal after guitar-strumming David Katoatau won weightlifting gold, while compatriot Taoriba Biniati fought another woman for the first time as women’s boxing made its Games debut.
Cyclist Muhammad I’maadi Abd Aziz, Brunei’s only athlete at the Games, enjoyed his lonely ride and the balti boys, Muzahir Shan and Mohammed Qureshi, co-owners of a curry house in Glasgow, formed part of Pakistan’s first lawn bowls team.
At the other end of the scale, Olympic champion Chad le Clos of South Africa secured the biggest individual medal haul of the Games with seven podium finishes in the pool, including two golds.
For Australia’s Sally Pearson, the Games offered a chance of redemption.
Vilified by Athletics Australia head coach Eric Hollingsworth for her decision to miss a pre-tournament training camp with her teammates in Glasgow, Pearson stormed to gold in the women’s 100m hurdles to defend the title she won in Delhi four years ago.
The Australian swimming team dominated, winning 57 of 133 medals on offer at the Tollcross Swimming Centre, and breaking the only world record during the Games in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay, beating a time set by the Netherlands in the now-banned bodysuits in 2009.
The Australian team could not stop England topping the medals table with 58 golds, surpassing their archrivals for the first time since 1986, when the Games were last held in Scotland.
Among the gold rush for England was three-times world champion Nick Matthew, who resorted to “caveman” tactics to retain his squash title in an epic final against compatriot James Wilstrop and secure the highest honour in a sport still excluded from the Olympic program.
Diver Tom Daley successfully defended his 10m platform title with a stunning performance, combining power and finesse to add to the silver he won in the synchronized event.
At the Chris Hoy velodrome, Olympic cycling champion Laura Trott overcame a kidney infection to win the women’s 25km points race, but it was not all good news for England as 2012 Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins had to settle for silver on his return to the track in the team pursuit.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely