Commonwealth Games

[peter w]

War of attrition in the 3rd. I'd give it to the Sri Lankan because of his work but could go either way.

[peter w]

Indian got it. Unlucky on the Sri Lankan to be knocked out but good  fight.

[ACVilla]

So I tune in to watch the athletics, widely regarded as the pinnacle of the Commonwealth Games. It's towards the end of the final of the long jump and the high jump, in which we have significant English interest, and they decide to show highlights if the boxing instead.

What on earth is that all about?

[ACVilla]

As Steve Cram correctly said (and was obviously having a dig) prior to the first 800m semi "well I'm sorry I didn't have time to introduce you to the rest of the line up".
It really is annoyingly poor coverage.

[OzVilla]

Strangely enough the medal table graphic wasn't shown on the Oz TV sports news this morning for probably the first time. Funny that.............

[SashasGrandad]

So I tune in to watch the athletics, widely regarded as the pinnacle of the Commonwealth Games. It's towards the end of the final of the long jump and the high jump, in which we have significant English interest, and they decide to show highlights if the boxing instead.

What on earth is that all about?

The High Jump was crap -and I was sat at edge of track watching it (on a stool 2 sizes too small for my backside). I missed out on the long jump -another official got that duty-Greg Rutherford took the lead was briefly overtaken then he regained lead and won gold.

Only 4 high jumpers got passed 2.25m -sadly Villa fan TomParsons was first out only cleared 2.17 at 3rd attempt then went out.

Looking forward tothe relays on Friday - not sure if Usain will run -think he is looking for excuses already. My inside info suggests he might pull out at last minute.
 

[PeterWithesShin]

not sure if Usain will run -think he is looking for excuses already. My inside info suggests he might pull out at last minute.
 

Well he does think the games are a bit crap. Allegedly.

[SashasGrandad]

not sure if Usain will run -think he is looking for excuses already. My inside info suggests he might pull out at last minute.
 

Well he does think the games are a bit crap. Allegedly.

Up to a point he has some justification as a lot of "big names" have not come to Glasgow, but the event is competitive, the atmosphere in the stadium is excellent, I hear the main BBC coverage is crap, better to watch on iPlayer.

I don't think he likes the weather as the hot weather we had last week has gone - and it is now chilly and damp - not what Jamaican athletes favour!

Having been involved in the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, I can say Glasgow has done an equally good job for a fraction of the budget.

What is better here are the volunteers (Clydesiders) - they are much friendlier to us Technical Officials - in London the volunteers were over hyped by Seb Coe - and many had overblown egos. Here they are down to earth, treat everybody with respect, and theirs is a genuine friendliness, not a plastic London pretend smile.

I'm sure Birmingham could do a similar job - but doubt we could afford to do it with all the council debts and all the  facilities (NEC/NIA) being sold off. 
 

[ACVilla]

not sure if Usain will run -think he is looking for excuses already. My inside info suggests he might pull out at last minute.
 

Well he does think the games are a bit crap. Allegedly.

I hear the main BBC coverage is crap, better to watch on iPlayer.
 

It is, it really is. For example I had no idea that Tom Parsons was even in the competition as he wasn't shown at all. I think my wife caught a glimpse of a Martyn Bernard as well so I presume he was competing?

The way that the long jump was shown, you could tell that the South African had overtaken Rutherford before it was even shown.

To be fair, even if the coverage had been excellent, athletics, more than any other sport, is much better watched as a real life spectator than on television.

[cdbearsfan]

I think if you're as big a star as Bolt you might find life at any of these games "a bit shit". You can't really go out, at least not before you've raced, so you spend the whole time stuck in your hotel room or training. Not necessarily Glasgow's fault just a fact of life for the big name athletes.

[Nev]

For those who are a bit under-awed by the whole thing, just remember that next week we see the return of the Great British Bake (fuck) Off. Swiftly followed by X-Factor. Strictly Come Dancing and endless Come Bitch With Me on CH4.

By mid-September we will all be misty eyed for Lawn Bowls and that piper that heralds the medal cermony.

[SashasGrandad]

For those who are a bit under-awed by the whole thing, just remember that next week we see the return of the Great British Bake (fuck) Off. Swiftly followed by X-Factor. Strictly Come Dancing and endless Come Bitch With Me on CH4.

By mid-September we will all be misty eyed for Lawn Bowls and that piper that heralds the medal cermony.

On bus outside Hampden due to start next shift. The piper is starting to get on my nerves - when you have 6 or more ceremonies a night. Had enough of Kenya and Canada anthems as well.

[RunRickyRun]

So I tune in to watch the athletics, widely regarded as the pinnacle of the Commonwealth Games. It's towards the end of the final of the long jump and the high jump, in which we have significant English interest, and they decide to show highlights if the boxing instead.

What on earth is that all about?

It's long been frustrating watching athletics on the beeb.

To the BBC, 'Track and Field' equates to the studio talking about the track, a montage video and interview with a British track athlete, the track event itself, interview with the track athlete and then back to the studio to talk about the track event. The field events get a two minute slot of only the most significant moments taking away any tension of the events.

I remember when Isinbayeva was going for the world record in a non Birmingham a few years ago, they only showed the last successful attempt off tape!

[ACVilla]

So I tune in to watch the athletics, widely regarded as the pinnacle of the Commonwealth Games. It's towards the end of the final of the long jump and the high jump, in which we have significant English interest, and they decide to show highlights if the boxing instead.

What on earth is that all about?

It's long been frustrating watching athletics on the beeb.

To the BBC, 'Track and Field' equates to the studio talking about the track, a montage video and interview with a British track athlete, the track event itself, interview with the track athlete and then back to the studio to talk about the track event. The field events get a two minute slot of only the most significant moments taking away any tension of the events.

I remember when Isinbayeva was going for the world record in a non Birmingham a few years ago, they only showed the last successful attempt off tape!

To be fair I thought they did a great job in 2012 but overall Eurosport's coverage of most athletics events is far superior.

I do find Colin Jackson and Denise Lewis hugely bad presenters/summarisers. Steve Cram and Michael Johnson are very good. I do like it when Johnson basically says Lewis and Jackson are talking shite.

[cheltenhamlion]

Are we beating the convicts?