THE Commonwealth Games have long since acquired the tag of being the most friendly multi-sport gathering on the planet, and Manchester 2002 will do everything in its power to further that reputation.
Unlike the Olympics, where the ideal of taking part being more important than winning seems to have long since bitten the dust, there is still an all-pervading feeling of ‘family’ about the Commonwealths. And far from detracting from the Games, that sense of fun allied to competition only enhances the atmosphere and aura surrounding them.
Spirit of Friendship
That in itself is no accident for it is exactly what Bobby Robinson, the man who drove on the idea of the ‘Empire Games’ more than 70 years ago, had in mind. A former manager of the Canadian athletics team in the Olympics, Robinson had the dream of bringing the best athletes from the British Empire to his hometown of Hamilton.
All the original sports except rowing are still a part of the programme and this year mountain biking, triathlon and table tennis make their debuts. The gold medals earned for netball, bowls, squash and rugby will be in all but name world championships and for the first time elite athletes with a disability are fully included in the main sports programme.
Organisers at Manchester 2002 say that 41 per cent of the competitors will be women, quite a leap from the first Games where the only sport that accommodated female athletes was swimming. In that first gathering there was no representation from Asia or the Caribbean and the only Africans to take part came from South Africa. Quite a difference from Manchester, which will host more than 70 different nations.
Difficulties overcome
There have been difficult times along the way, not least when at Edinburgh 1986 there was a boycott by almost all the African and Caribbean countries over apartheid and continuing sporting links between this country and South Africa, but they have survived and are now undoubtedly stronger than ever.
It is no coincidence that running alongside the Games this year in Manchester will be a Spirit of Friendship Festival coinciding with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and ending after the Games on August 10 with 40th Jamaican Independence Day celebrations.
Culture, music, and art are synonymous with Manchester 2002 and there will also be tangible economic benefits. Manchester 2002 will leave a major legacy in the form of 6,100 jobs, 146 acres of reclaimed land, £600m worth of public and private investment, and a huge increase in annual revenues.
The Commonwealth Games are truly the most friendly, affordable and cultural valuable sporting event on the planet - and that is no idle boast.
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