GAMES BOLT-ED

Jamaican sprint legend plays a part in Commonwealths closing ceremony

USAIN Bolt took a turn as DJ as the Gold Coast said goodbye to the Commonwealth Games yesterday after an 11-day tournament where Australia topped the medals table by a distance.

Bolt made a surprise appearance on the decks as the Games closed in a colourful ceremony with references to Aboriginal culture — although indigenous protests continued outside.

Australia finished with 80 gold, 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.

“For those who delivered this event I say, ‘You beauty! You did us proud,” said Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, as the Commonwealth flag was handed to 2022 hosts Birmingham.

Australia dominated in the swimming pool and in track cycling, while Jamaica felt the absence of the retired Bolt as they struggled in the sprint events.

Zero failed drug tests were reported during the event, although India twice fell foul of the Games’ ‘no needle policy’ and had two athletes ordered home.

This is the Games, where Paralympic athletes are not just included but fully integrated in the teams, and their events in the programme.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief executive David Grevemberg believes the full integration is essential if the Games are to reflect the mission of the movement.

“Truly if we want a Games that is representative of all the people across the Commonwealth, then our athletes need to be truly representative,” said the American, a former senior executive at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

“If you value people, you include them, it’s that simple. But it also needs to be legitimate sport and I think the performances here speak for themselves.”

From a handful of exhibition wheelchair races in Victoria in 1994, the Paralympic element of the Games has grown to 38 medals in seven sports on the Gold Coast.

The support for Para-athletes from the Gold Coast crowds has been vocal and wheelchair-bound local Kurt Fearnley said the backing he received winning silver in the wheelchair 1,500m “almost blew my head off.”

“Congratulations Gold Coast, congratulations Queensland and congratulations Australia,” CGF president Louise Martin said before the flag lowering ceremony. “You have truly delivered a golden Games for the Commonwealth.

“Athletes, 11 days ago I asked you to grasp this opportunity and create your own history and fulfil your dreams. I thank you.

“What a Games these have been. You have written a new chapter in Commonwealth history.

“On behalf of the Commonwealth Games family, thank you Gold Coast, thank you athletes and thank you all.”