Commonwealth Games 2018 showcased amazing talent, teamwork, triumph, heartbreak and most importantly wonderful displays of sportsmanship and humility. Australia had it’s most successful Commonwealth Games in history winning a combined total of 198 medals, 80 being gold medals. Here are our top moments from the Commonwealth Games.
GREAT SPORTSMANSHIP CAN MAKE YOU A WINNER
At the end of the 10,000m Women’s race, spectators were shown an act of sportsmanship that has rarely been seen. The Australian runners waited until every runner had finished and gave them a hug before leaving the track. These small acts of kindness and respect are sometimes missed in sport, but when they are captured they provide a reminder that sport is so much bigger than winning or losing, it is how you react to the result and how you treat your competitors, that can make such a difference. The three Australian runners Celia Sullohern, Madeline Hills and Eloise Wellings will be remembered, well beyond their performance, because of this moment.
TEARS OF JOY
As Brandon Starc sung the National Anthem he shed tears of happiness as it finally sunk in that he was a Commonwealth Gold Medalist. Starc became the first Australian Gold medalist in high jump since 1994. Singing the National Anthem is one of those things in sport, that puts into perspective why you are there and why you are competing. It reminds you that you are a part of something so much bigger than yourself. Tears of joy as it reminded the rest of the country how much this meant to him.
TOOMEY- THE FITTEST WOMEN IN THE WORLD, OLYMPIAN AND NOW COMMONWEALTH GAMES GOLD MEDALIST
Tia-Clair Toomey went out on her last lift and nailed it to win Gold for Australia, making it the first medal in Weightlifting for Australia in 12 years. It all started from the walk out down the corridor to the platform. Her face radiating determination and focus, her strut showing everyone she meant business. Then the lift, she threw it up like it was 5kg. Tia is a force to be reckoned with and we cannot wait to see what she does next. If you want to relive the lift, here is a link to it. Tia’s Lift We cannot stop watching it.
ON TAPPER THE TABLE TENNIS WORLD
Milly Tapper became the first person to win a Gold Medal for Australia in Table Tennis at the Commonwealth Games. Competing in the TT6-20 Singles Competition she defeated Nigeria in the final 3-1. Not only has Milly competed at the Paralympics, she became the first athlete to be selected into the able-bodied team to compete at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
WHEN OUTCOMES AREN’T GOLD BUT THE INSIGHTS ARE JUST AS GOLDEN
How athletes respond when things don’t got to plan, shows their character. So many Australian athletes shared their experiences whether it be good or bad which gave us all perspective.
Taylor McKeown (Swimmer) “Ever had one of those moments where you get dominated, but realise it was the kick you needed?” shared that sometimes not performing at the level you want is a lesson and can be that motivator that you need. She assessed how she went and is now using it as the motivation for the future.
Kaye Scott (Boxer) “Failure is not final.” What a statement.
Dominique Du Toit (Rugby 7’s) “Sometimes you can true your hardest and give everything you have and you just won’t be good enough…” Showing that you need to be proud of what you do achieve because when you give it your all then that’s an achievement.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORT NETWORKS
Having the right people around you can make such a big difference in the success of an athlete. For athletes support networks are the people who help them when they aren’t earning much money, the people who love them no matter what the result is and the people who are there to tell you to keep going and to keep striving to be the best they can be. We have loved the social media shares athletes have created to thank the people behind the scenes. Here are some of our favourite:
Kelly Cartwright acknowledging the work her coach does to get her to be the best she can be. Coach and athlete relationships are so important in sport as they can create bonds and special moments that can last forever.
Michelle Mathews (Sister of Luke Mathews) shared a photo of her brother embracing his parents. The photo shows the raw emotion of how hard-work can pay off and how the his parents live each moment with their son.
KURT FEARNLEY: A TRUE CHAMPION Our last moment is everything about Kurt Fearnley. His 2nd place in the 1500m, his Gold medal in the Marathon and every interview he did at the Commonwealth Games. In every race, every interview he shows true sportsmanship, dedication, teamwork and is always humble in his achievements. Kurt was given the honour of being the flag bearer for Australia in the closing ceremony, this moment could not have gone to a more deserving athlete.
What did we learn from the Commonwealth Games? We learnt that success can come in many different forms, whether that is winning, making a new personal best, the experiences you get out of losing and sometimes the best thing is the people you meet along the way.
