The Commonwealth Games or former British Empire Games

Don't get me wrong, I've been watching it and I love sport so have really enjoyed it. I love that para sports compete in the same games as well, watched some fantastic human performances.
That said, I wonder about the significance of the symbol, the event, as an image of perceived British former empire?
It is mad that we have the Olympics, but also the Commonwealth Games, a collection solely of mates of Britain. I do like it though because we compete under regional flags, so England, Scotland, Wales, N.Ireland, not UK.
Anyway, thoughts welcome, it just seems all still a bit empire to me.

A third of the world's countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Commonwealth Games are a more calm and laid-back version of the over-commercialised and politicised Olympics.

The Empire went years ago. The Commonwealth remains, and is a force for good. The participating nations have a common connection via their recent history. I think the UN could learn a thing or two from the Commonwealth's approach to things.

a reply to: paraphi

Prince Charles has been at the Commonwealth Games chilling, the Princess Royal is President of the British Olympic Association and a Member of the International Olympic Committee.
They have their hands on the ball for sure.
I smell conspiracy when our tiny island still has it's own 'empire' games...Oz are doing well though

a reply to: CornishCeltGuy

I haven't even been following the commonwealth games, tbh.

But I did just recently google the medal count and was quite satisfied with the results... Apparently, us Aussies are kicking some pomy arse!

It seems the British empire is totally owned by us Aussies.

a reply to: Subaeruginosa
Haha you are doing well, but registered more athletes than any other country.
...not bitchin' though, fair one, home turf, but don't you think it's mad we have a former British Empire games?
I do.

originally posted by: CornishCeltGuy
Anyway, thoughts welcome, it just seems all still a bit empire to me.

If the competing nations are there under compulsion, that's "empire".
If they are there because they want to be, that's just "family".

a reply to: Subaeruginosa

Yeah but you lot cheat at cricket .
Also what do you expect in all that sunshine you should be the fittest nation of them all plus running from drop bears.
Heck have you ever ran in the UK? wet and hills.

a reply to: Subaeruginosa

A few of the member nations were never under British rule at all and others (notably Ireland and the former US colonies) remain outside the organisation. Most people of the Commonwealth have no memory of the Empire and it is all about cultural ties now. Sport plays a big part in that and the Commonwealth games are a good forerunner for our athletes in the build up to an Olympics.

a reply to: mirageman

So just Ireland then?

originally posted by: DISRAELI

originally posted by: CornishCeltGuy
Anyway, thoughts welcome, it just seems all still a bit empire to me.

If the competing nations are there under compulsion, that's "empire".
If they are there because they want to be, that's just "family".

Hmm...I'm a dyed in the wool cynic unfortunately.
EDIT
I'm considering the wider issue of what is essentially the Crown Games.

a reply to: CornishCeltGuy

Nope Zimbabwe were forced to leave. The Maldives left of their own accord. Hong Kong are not members either because they belong to China now.

Ireland would be free to join and I doubt there would be objections. In fact Ireland would make an excellent host nation. But there are obviously political issues that mean it will probably not happen any time soon.

a reply to: mirageman

Good reply, but we are talking about many nations, and I was teasing about the US.
...but the games are a big British statement of all the countries who have pictures of the Queen in government buildings.
How is that not a question from this tiny island?
EDIT
There are no US games.

Outside the media, and a handful of sport diehards that would attend a game of marbles in the arctic if they could get there.... I don't know anyone who wanted this event staged here in SE Qld, millions of tax dollars pissed against the wall, a number of buisinesses on the Gold Coast will never recover, speed limit reductions on the freeways....
The main drag on the coast, Cavill avenue, has been described as a ghost town on radio here all morning. One ÜBER driver stated she could have raced through there at speed, only danger might have been hitting a seagull.....
Extremely costly exercise in stupidity>>>>>
thrust upon us by grandstanding azz hat wearing politicians, hooray for the 2nd tier of world sport.

Please let it end soon. I'm sick of it saturating everything. I couldn't care less who did what better than someone else. It's all a load of wank.

a reply to: badw0lf

Another pain is the show of force from the cops, they are everywhere swooning around like predators , looking for victims .

a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

That's an interesting take on things, are you on the Gold coast?
How do you feel about your taxes funding these games?

a reply to: Artlogic

Again another interesting reply, cheers.
So have the games damaged business then not increased revenue from foreign tourists?

originally posted by: CornishCeltGuy







I'm close to gold coast. As far as the taxes go, they get wasted no matter what happens .

edit on 9-4-2018 by hopenotfeariswhatweneed because: (no reason given)

a reply to: Artlogic

Yes it's pretty bad a friend of mine has a restaurant and is losing money from the severe lack of customers.

a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

How come?
What's happened to the customers?
It sounds like a Scooby Doo mystery, thousands of people have travelled to the Gold coast for the games yet no customers?