Does anyone care about the Commonwealth Games?

[rubcale]

Wouldn't seem as if many are bothered these games.

Apart from hearing the results on Five Live I haven't watched anything at all.

I'm not even sure the athletics will change that.

Apparently the viewing figures they are getting on BBC are dire.

[Panda]

I'm struggling to get into it because of the time difference. All the live coverage is on when I'm at uni.

[wonderwall]

not watched it looks boring and not very well organized

[o]

We taped the first few nights of the one hour highlights show, but it was all swimming and shooting and I nearly dozed off, so not bothered at all, if it's athletics next week, I might watch some highlights...

[Panda]

Athletics is taking place now. It started on Wednesday, I think.

[o]

So what is next week, the marathon?

[Panda]

The athletics will continue right to the end of the Games next Thursday.

[Panda]

I noticed England has changed its anthem in this Games from Land of Hope and Glory to Jerusalem. Apparently the result of an online poll in which 1800 people voted... Hmmm...

[Shireblogger]

Yes, I've watched the highlights show every evening.

It hasn't been especially interesting so far, and the BBC's coverage has been rather pedestrian. However:-

1. With several of the big names choosing not to compete, and the UK split into multiple teams (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle Of Man, Jersey....) it means some lesser known competitors (and potential future stars) are coming to the fore.

2. The England Women's Archery team won gold yesterday, with a paralympian in their team of three, which is a really big step for integration in sports, and very humbling. She took up archery because it was a sport at which she thought she could excel, regardless of her limitations. Bravo, and respect.

3. The pre- and post-event interviews consistently show a bunch of happy athletes, proud to represent their nations and enjoying what they do. This serves as yet another reinforcement of how sick football has become these days.

4. It's in India. Which is fascinating in itself. And also the source of my main criticism of the BBC coverage, namely that it isn't giving enough cultural background. I'd far rather have a 3 minute piece on life in Delhi, than Sue Barker and Colin Jackson flirting on the sofa.

[Tom]

Absolutely, i've only watched live coverage in the last couple of days but i've watched Games Today most days. Its probably the most interest i've ever taken in the games, though that doesn't say a lot.

I've got specific interest in the athletics and the tennis, its just a shame that coverage of the tennis has been so minimal. I don't think they even showed any on Wednesday and Thursday, and few results have been mentioned either on TV/text or in the papers (its just as well i get them from elsewhere).

The tennis has been like a very weak challenger, expected more of a medal challenge in the singles events, although Heather Watson (competing for Guernsey) had Delhi Belly and Katie O'Brien had a shoulder injury which almost completely prevented her from practicing in the 5 days beforehand. Better success in the doubles though with Hutchins/Skupski winning a silver medal for England in the mens doubles yesterday, and a guaranteed bronze for England in the mixed doubles later today. Rae/Fleming go for gold in the mixed doubles final later today as well for Scotland.

Its just a shame that Bally was forced to pull out over health concerns in Delhi. I'm pretty sure she would have been top seed when they took the entry list from the rankings at the start of Aug and she had a realistic chance of winning the gold, which would have been the icing on the cake for her this year. Unfortunately as Glasgow 2014 have scrapped the tennis she won't get another chance to compete in it.

[Panda]

I don't really understand why tennis was included.

Unlike the Olympics, the host city gets to choose the sports (apart from a select few that are mandatory, like athletics and swimming) so there tends to be a bit of variation of sports between Games.

I remember judo regularly featuring in the past but it's not in this time. Ten-pin bowling was included when Kuala Lumpur hosted in 1998.

Looking at the list of sports for 2014, archery is also being dropped with judo returning and triathlon being included. Mountain biking is also set to be added to the cycling programme.

[Tom]

Glasgow's decision to drop the tennis is now looking rather foolish after Scotland's gold in the mixed doubles yesterday. Thought they had a chance of winning the final as they were the only GB players to get a win against Aussies at the games, but fantastic performance by Jocelyn Rae and Colin Fleming to beat the top seeds Rodionova and Hanley nevertheless. Rae looks like a future Top 100 doubles player, first heard of her at Wimbledon last year when she partnered Mel South to a win in the womens doubles. Mel bigged her up after that match i remember, and i can see why now! Good looking girl too

If Bally was fit i could have seen her having a chance of a medal in Glasgow. Doubt she will have dropped that far down the rankings in 4 years time.