Hey guys. I am just wondering whether the Commonwealth games get any coverage in non-Commonwealth nations?
I have seen how seriously it is taken within Commonwealth Countries. There is also a sort of tacit acknowledgement that this is really limited comp. where you can break a WR or you could break a Games Record. It made me wonder about such events in a Sci-fic setting where the "Commonwealth" may be intra or interplanetary or even intra/inter-solar but still be only a small part of a larger 'community'.
[This message has been edited by hoptoad (edited March 21, 2006).]
Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :
uh... what's a "commonweath game"??? No, seriously. I've never heard the expression.
Posted by hoptoad (Member # 2145) on :
Do you know what the "The Commonwealth of Nations" is?
53 nations in total.
The thirteen original states in the US that fought for independance are eligible too but, realistically, would never join.
[This message has been edited by hoptoad (edited March 21, 2006).]
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Refers to those nations that are part of the Commonwealth (what's left of the British Empire), right?
Anyone who still puts Queen Elizabeth on their postage stamps?
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
And are the Commonwealth Games soccer, or more than one sport (like soccer, rugby, cricket, tennis, etc)?
Posted by hoptoad (Member # 2145) on :
No. It's like the Olympics.
All 53 nations can compete.
A country doesn't have to be a former British colony to be a member of the Commonwealth.
It is a free association of independent, sovereign nations and most have a history of British rule, just like parts of the US has.
But not necessarily, others can join.
Its main purpose is to promote co-operation, democracy, human rights, and good governance.
I just wondered about the World Records that are getting smashed every day at the moment in everything from swimming and track and field and whether any of it gets a mention in a broader context. Clearly the question is answered -- not in the US. But I was wondering about other nations represented on the boards here too.
Nothing to do with postage stamps!
In a sci-fic context I was wondering how plausible it was for a HUGE event to occur within a 'federation' or 'commonwealth' and have it not even produce a 'blip' on the radar of closely associated societies. Stupid question in hindsight.
[This message has been edited by hoptoad (edited March 21, 2006).]
Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :
Consider your source: I am a sports heathen. I don't care a fig about sports and in no way are they on my radar screen. So there is a lot of stuff in American sports that I am totally clueless about. So some American who is big into sports might know about this Commonwealth thingie. But as far as I know, American TV is mostly about football (our version of it), basketball, and baseball. Oh, not sure if you can count buffalo testicle eating as seen on Fear Factor...?
Posted by Minister (Member # 2213) on :
I follow sports a little, just enough to keep track of my favorite teams, and I've hardly heard of the Commonwealth games. Don't know anything about them, or anyone who competes in them.
Posted by rcorporon (Member # 2879) on :
I'm Canadian, and an avid fan of the Commonwealth Games.
In Japan I haven't heard anything about it at all so far.
Hope this helps.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Elan didn't mention NASCAR...
Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :
We try to ignore NASCAR whenever possible.... But nothing holds a candle to WWE Wrestlemania. Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
I recently had to have March Madness explained to me by my father (who was puzzled by how they could run it starting with 65 teams...so I'm guessing he got it second-hand from someone who wasn't strong in basic...uh, counting) and more throughly by my sister, who actually follows the games and has one of those little picks charts filled out. I was also surprised to hear that the Superbowl was held recently. As for baseball....
Look, I knew that the Olympics were happening, but I didn't follow any of the events. I only know the names of a couple of people who participated, Michelle Kwan and Apollo Ohno, and I don't know if they won anything. There was some other guy that everyone had heard of but didn't win...but I can't remember his name at all.
Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :
...and there was the Flying Tomato.... not that I know his name or anything. I was merely grateful my son is old enough he now drives and no longer skateboards. I would have hated to have him try to emulate Mr. Tomato's moves on his board. I had enough trips to the Emergency Room with the kids as they were growing up as it was...
Posted by hoptoad (Member # 2145) on :
Wow. Human nature I guess. But while the Commonwealth Games are happening, the coverage seems very parochial. The media seems to only report on the success of the Aussies and only rarely on achievements of other nations (and usually only if it is something spectacular).
Often you only get the massive gaffs or accidents that other's have. Remember that footage of the gymanast running full-tilt at the beam and missing the springboard? He hit the beam end-on, smack in the middle of his chest. Surely you remember? Gives me shivers.
I'm wondering whether it is the same in other countries or whether it is particularly bad here.
Any Brits here?
My instinct says that it is natural human behaviour and it could feasibly translate into "interplanetary parochialism".
[This message has been edited by hoptoad (edited March 22, 2006).]
Posted by Matt Lust (Member # 3031) on :
I know of some americans who compete(d) in the commonwealth games. Not any names, it just that I am an sports/news/info junkie and remember during the sydney games and the US trials that a coupler of our lesser knowns had commonwealth experience.
Typically these are youngish runners trying to prove them selves on the world stage.
Posted by Leigh (Member # 2901) on :
The good old Commonwealth Games, I just enjoy the public transport and trying to get into the city now... Ugh, stupid out of towners!!
Ummm... yes, the Commonwealth games are going splendid. No other country will beat us Aussies, we are more than double our nearest rival and that being England.
Posted by tchernabyelo (Member # 2651) on :
quote:Any Brits here?
Over here, yes, the reporting is utterly parochial, as it is for any and all sporting events. I think that's pretty much a universal given, and is precisely why almost no-one in the US will have even heard of the Commonwealth games (I'm intrigued by Matt Lust's mention of US athletes having competed at the Games - presumably these are ones who have changed nationality? That's been happening a lot more in recent years, particularly with some of the Gulf States appearing to "buy" medals by offering citizenship and money to successful Kenyans and Ethiopians).
