Former flagbearers hit out at Fearnley snub
THE call not to broadcast wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley and all the athletes in the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony was “disappointing” and an “oversight”, say former flagbearers.
Basketballer Lauren Jackson and “Oarsome Foursome” rower James Tomkins both expressed disappointment in Sunday’s ceremony.
Jackson, the former Opals captain and flag-bearer for the 2012 London Olympics, said the country missed out on an emotional moment watching Fearnley carry the Australian flag after his last international event.
“He’s just been amazing,” Jackson said. “It would have been tear-jerking watching him carry the flag out and I think that’s really disappointing.
“He’s a humble, awesome human being and he’s always going to say that but I think for Australia to be able to celebrate as well.
”For me it was a bit sad because you do want to celebrate with people who meant so much to the country.”
Jackson said a ticker-tape parade would give athletes the recognition they deserve.
“That would be good recognition for them, it didn’t look like a massive celebration for them last night.”
Tomkins, a triple Olympic gold medallist who lead Australia in the opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said the athletes restored the reputation of sport in the country and the athletes should be recognised.
“It was a brilliant event, especially with sport at the moment, with all the Russia stuff (doping bans) and all the ball tampering stuff, sport was a bit iffy,” Tomkins said.
“Our team and the Games in general put on a fantastic show with really good performances with great examples of sportsmanship, but apparently the closing ceremony wasn’t flash and it didn’t recognise the athletes.
“If someone wants to put (a parade) on I think that would be fantastic, I think it would be ideal.”
Tomkins said the closing ceremony shouldn’t take away from the athletes’ performance.
“I think it is a bit of a shame, but let’s not take the lustre off the previous few weeks,” he said.
Yesterday, in response to the snub, Fearnley made similar comments.
“I am sure there are plenty of athletes and parents of athletes from all around the Commonwealth who would have loved to see their guys coming into the stadium, and Peter Beattie saying they did get it wrong and, yeah, they did mate,” Fearnley told radio station SEN.
“For all the people blowing up, I know you’re doing it as a sign of kindness and respect for myself and the athletes, but I will blow up when it’s needed.”