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Commonwealth Games Thread

Cloete

Cloete

International Captain
I'm seeing a slight resemblance between Louis van Zyl (South African 400m Hurdles gold medallist) and Brett Lee...

 
Chubb

Chubb

International Regular
This would be a shame if it happened, I love these guys. It's what the Commonwealth Games are about.

Norfolk Island looks set to leave the Commonwealth Games without adding to their only ever Games medal - and possibly without the chance to ever win another.

The special territory of Australia has been allowed to compete at the Games since joining the Commonwealth Games Federation in 1986.

But Australia has declared it on the road to economic ruin and is trying to force a change in leadership, which could cost its chance of competing at the 2010 Games in India - or any other in the future.

The team's 29-strong squad in Melbourne, however, is more focused on competing in its two events - the shooting and lawn bowls.

Among them is Kitha Bailey, a 56-year-old member of the ladies triples bowls team, which failed to reach the knock-out stages after their captain, Carole Yager, was taken ill at the opening ceremony.

"We were made to run to the MCG as we were one of the last nations in," she recalled, "but Carole suffered a heart scare and had to spend the night in hospital."

It meant Yager missed the opening three pool matches, with her place taken by the team's press officer.

"We still did our best and I'm proud of that," added Bailey, "and I think the same can be said for the rest of the team."


Bailey describes Norfolk Island, where she has lived all her life except seven years in Australia from the age of 18, as "the best place in the world".

"I saw how the other half lived in Australia and I've travelled the world three times over," she said, "but there's no place better than Norfolk Island."

Tourism is their main industry - the "reserve of newly weds and nearly deads", according to Bailey.

Everyone in the quirky Australian special territory, which is just eight miles by three miles and has a population of 1,700 people, has a nickname.

Bailey picked up hers as a 14-year-old after babysitting for a child that couldn't pronounce her real name - Kathleen

"I think I got off lightly," added Bailey, who took up bowling after returning to Norfolk Island as a 25-year-old.

"I landed back having just lost my first child and my mum decided bowling was the answer for me. I was hooked straight away."

The concentration, challenge and social nature are the keys in a sport which Bailey says she fits her work as a garage attendant around.

In fact, sport is arguably the key to a place where a tradition, originally set up by Queen Victoria, still sees everyone take off Wednesday afternoons to play sport.


That's when their 22 female and 30 male bowlers, who range in age from 13 to 80, focus most heavily on the bowls.

One of the team's bowlers smokes and drinks while in action, which Bailey insists "is a one of a kind".

"I wait to have a drink until after the game in the clubhouse when I've earned it," she added.

Norfolk Island has just one pub but a host of sports clubs where islanders can drink.

"Sport is the way you get to know people, the way to fit in and the way of life here," said the mother of two.

The nicknames and Wednesday afternoon downtime are not the only quirks of an island where the speed limit is 50 km/h and cows have the right of way - a fine of £2,000 is dished out to anyone who kills one.

"The cows are a big part although, since the dairies shut down, they're only used as lawnmowers and for beef," she added.

"I remember they used to come into the shops. You'd be grabbing the groceries and suddenly come face to face with a cow.

"Cattle grids stop them on the whole, which is a shame as I used to enjoy seeing them randomly pop up."

One only hopes such a unique nation keeps its place in the Games in four years' time.

From the BBC
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Craig

Craig

World Traveller
luckyeddie said:
I see some of the track cycling events are different to the Olympics.

Where's that event where one of the guys (the fat one) has a motorbike, and all the others (loads of them) have a pushbike? How silly's that?

And the guy on the motorbike never wins. Not surprised - it's a moped really and he just poses along like he's really cool and on the pull in Rome or Paris, going around the streets saying 'ciao' to everyone.

Use a bloody Harley, for Chrissakes.
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Derny actually ;p

Just got back from Melbourne today after watching the Rugby 7's (saw all 42 games), the tri-athalon, the cycling road time-trial (both men and women), and some of the athletics. I took heaps (nearly 150) of photos I might post some up if I can be bothered.

And I shouldn't also forget that I have ridden with Sara Carrigan - who took bronze in the women's time-trial (and won the women's road race in Athens). Although it would have been different i Sarah Ullmer had been fit. And there's no way Nathan O'Neill would have won gold had some of the European based riders had been allowed to compete.
 
Craig

Craig

World Traveller
Langeveldt said:
Foreign power? You make Scotland sound like Iraq! Scotland is as autonomous as a US state is, and its been like that for the best part of a thousand years.. But the United States competes as one, unlike the United Kingdom..

I don't care that much, it would just mean we could put out far stronger sports teams, maybe beating the Aussies at something other than cricket and television
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So the Isle of Man don't deserve the chance to win a gold medal in cycling when a World Champion comes from there?
 
Beleg

Beleg

International Regular
Australia trounce Malaysia 6-0 to get into the final of the men's hockey competition.

Pakistan playing England at the moment for the second final spot. Hopefully they'll get through. :)


0-0 at half-time.
 
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Beleg

Beleg

International Regular
yeah, I was very surprised to hear the final score. When I left for college earlier in the morning Australia were leading 1-0 but Malaysia were playing pretty competitive hockey.
 
Beleg

Beleg

International Regular
Pakistan scores in the 53rd minute of the game!

Pak 1 - 1 Eng


Edit: England equals in the 67th minute. Extra time it is.

Pakistani defense, as usual, playing woefully.

Edit 4: Pakistan scores in the third minute of the extra time to clinche the match 2-1. Some excellent sprinting and stickwork by Rehan Butt culminated in a sensible finish by Shakeel Abaasi.

The final, per expectations, is between Aus and Pakistan with the aussies being the clear favorites.
 
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cameeel

cameeel

International Captain
How have the Kiwis gotten ahead of us in the basketball? Last time i looked we were up by 13pts, now we're down by 7 half an hour later.
 
_Ed_

_Ed_

Request Your Custom Title Now!
cameeel said:
How have the Kiwis gotten ahead of us in the basketball? Last time i looked we were up by 13pts, now we're down by 7 half an hour later.
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You lot won in the end, 81-76 I think. Amazing game. Great to watch.
 
superkingdave

superkingdave

Hall of Fame Member
tryin to stay up thru the night isn't helped by England and New Zealand playing out the most boring bronze medal hockey play off. Hockey isn't like it was when i were at school, in primary school we used to play in the long grass with the old style hockey sticks, then later my abiding memory is of this nob at school getting a hockey ball in the mouth.

ooh penalty corner...
 
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