De Castella will watch from home

HE WAS one of the blue-chip stars of Queensland’s first Commonwealth Games.

But Robert de Castella figures he will be watching the Gold Coast Games on television in Canberra, uninvited for any official role.

De Castella, the 1982 Games marathon champion, said he does not feel he can devote the time to coming to the Gold Coast as a spectator, as it is a busy time of the year for his Indigenous Marathon Foundation.

“There’s no official capacity or role for me. If there was something significant for me to do, I’d certainly consider being up there,’’ de Castella said.

“I’ll watch the spectacular television coverage from Canberra. It’s not good use of my time to just stay on the sidelines and cheer everyone on even though I’d love to do it. I have a lot of my plate with the Foundation now.’’

De Castella, 400m champion Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham were among the three best-loved Australian winners at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games.

Former champions are often sought to take part in opening ceremonies, run legs of the Queen’s Baton relay on its last day or present medals.

Gold Coast Games ambassador Sally Pearson, the defending 100m hurdles champion, told News Corp last month she would be available for any role organisers wished to offer her. Pearson said she is carrying the Queen’s Baton in Southport on the day of the opening ceremony on April 4.