Games’ great sense of fun and friendship

THE Commonwealth Games started off with a great opening ceremony and an atmosphere that was more reminiscent of a closing ceremony, i.e. a party, than the beginning which is usually a little more calm.

My favourite team ‘walking out,’ as they call it, was Botswana who danced their way around the track and looked like they were really enjoying themselves.

There is a lot of pressure on athletes at the start of a Games because they have been training for years for this and with Covid the competition opportunity has been severely limited.

The Games are also different to a Paralympics or a World Championships.

Its strapline in the past has been “the friendly games” because the atmosphere in the village is different – though on the field of play, and once the competition starts, it is the same as everywhere else.

So far I have been to see the 3x3 basketball which had an incredible atmosphere.

It was also really good fun when they put my face up on the big screen and announced that I was there, to which my lovely husband made bunny ears signs behind my head, which the crowd appeared to enjoy. He got a big cheer.

The wheelchair game has been included and the format has meant that smaller nations who could not get a regular team going are able to bring four athletes.

The cost of travelling and the wheelchairs means that it becomes more economical.

Northern Ireland beat Australia in one of the games that we watched, which was slightly unexpected.

It was a brilliant game that kept the crowd enthralled.

We’ve also been to athletics, and made a one-day trip down to London to watch the track cycling which was incredible.

We actually went to watch Paul Curran from Thornaby (two times Commonwealth Games gold medallist) who was riding the Derny in the keirin race.

We told everyone we were there to support him and when asked why, it was because he is the man who has fixed more of my wheels and handcycles than anyone else, and it is fantastic that someone who competed in the sport is involved in a different way.

We ended up sitting behind the New Zealand team who gave him a cheer as well.

There is plenty more action to come but the city and the organising committee has done a great job.

The volunteers are a real credit to the local area and are working their socks off to make it the best event that it can be.

They have a lot to be proud of and I hope they get the recognition they deserve.