Athletes deserved better than terrible end to Games

HAS “media tart” and chairman of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Committee and ex-Premier of Queensland ‘teflon” Peter Douglas Beattie done it again?

Whilst the coverage of the Games on the Gold Coast by Channel 7 has to be commended on all levels, many of the levels of both organisation and reliability befitting such a historical and important Games fell drastically short.

Transport became unreliable for ticket holders on many occasions, many security personnel were given inadequate accommodation and transport to and from venues. Many returned home disappointed during the height of the Games, long before the closing ceremony.

Due to much adverse publicity regarding traffic conditions that would possibly affect locals during the Games, many left town, leaving many local businesses reeling from loss of trade and profits.

Staff, including many casuals, were sent home and income lost when promised more than 600,000 thousands visitors expected to arrive in the city for the Games. This did not materialise, and at times the city resembled a ghost town.

Many games souvenirs, particularly Games mascot Borobi, became unavailable in many retail outlets after the first few days of the Games, and as I was told, no more would be available. Many disappointed visitors going home no doubt without. Another “stuff up” added to the list!

The shining light of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games though were the athletes, who were denied the privilege – as we have witnessed over the years with the Olympic Games, World Championships and Commonwealth Games in other cities around the world – of taking part in the closing ceremony at Carrara Stadium, where they should have been able to mix with and celebrate the companionship and friendship with athletes from other nations in front of millions watching on television and the public who had purchased tickets to celebrate with them.

Isn’t that what the Commonwealth Games all about? Not administrators and politicians grabbing the limelight continually before, during and after the Games.

Shame on the lot of you! After 10 days of exciting sport within the combative arenas and out on the streets of our beautiful city the “stuff up” of the closing ceremony was a gigantic letdown.

Athletes, whether medal winners or not, deserved to be treated with more respect and, contracts aside, so did Channel 7 for the great job their team did with the coverage of the Games.

Indeed, congratulations to them all. The athletes, their coaches and supporters, the thousands of volunteers, and of course locals and business owners whose patience was tested on many occasions, should be proud of themselves.

As for “media tart”, ex-Premier of Queensland and Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Committee “teflon” Peter Douglas Beattie and his team, politicians, and other dignitaries not including royalty of course (just visiting), let’s hope some of the sportsmanship and honesty shown by the majority of our male and female competitors from around the world rubs off on them – but don’t hold your breath! TERRY STOLLERY, SOUTHPORT