Games set right Oz image after ball-tampering row
GOLD COAST : Usain Bolt dee-jayed and Yohan Blake pranced around the ground dressed like Borobi, the mascot, as the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games came to an end in a spectacular but longdrawn closing ceremony on Sunday.
Gold Coast and Australia bid farewell to thousands of athletes, officials and visitors from abroad with a glittering and emotional ceremony.
Australia finished with 80 gold medals, way ahead of England’s 45 and India’s 26, in a tally that integrated para sports and was equally split between men and women for the first time.
The Games have been painted by organisers as Australia’s chance to burnish its image for sportsmanship after a Test cricket cheating scandal which shocked the nation.
Zero failed drug tests were reported during the event, although India twice fell foul of the Games ‘no needle policy’ and had two athletes sent back home.
With lots of traditional music and dance, that showcased the vibrant and unique culture of Queensland and Australia, Gold Coast celebrated the successful completion of the region’s biggest sporting extravaganza that they hoped would put their state on the world stage.
Like the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony too was set on the theme of “inclusion, equality and celebrating youth”, once again liberally picking up symbols connecting the ancient and modern Australia as the competitors from 71 countries and officials were sent off.
The ceremony included a traditional Yugambeh farewell by the descendants of the oldest inhabitants of Australia. The moments of pain and despair, the tears of joy and sorrow were set aside as athletes came together at the Carrara Stadium.