We're all a bit unhappy about the slimmed down version - 10 sports, two of which I don't think are even that widely played across the commonwealth, feels a bit "oh, is that it?" - losing Diving, Triathlon, Shooting (again!), wrestling, table tennis, the marathon and countless other great sports is a bit grim.

Assuming this is the model we want to keep, is it worth treating the Commonwealth Games as a platform for the fringe Commonwealth sports that need that limelight....and then bolt on the traditional Athletic, Velodrome and Aquatics events. Surely if you make it the home of something you can't see elsewhere, it becomes something worth having. I can watch a better swimming race almost anywhere....I can't watch some of these sports etc.

There are so many sports I would love to see get a look in. It's insane that Cricket was not cemented into the programme - moreso as it's jumped straight into the Olympics! You could recoup the cost of one of the venues for the telly rights of an India v Pakistan match. Even Rugby 7s and Field Hockey are getting eyes at Olympic level, but no space in Scotland games (just down the road from Melrose too!). Both these are heavy Commonwealth sports with most of the top nations coming from this region.

So, why not have the following as their gold medal moments...

Netball - it's one of the things Glasgow has right, and is getting some nice tv coverage and a revamp domestically. Still think it's weird nobody has said "where's the male players?" but the Commonwealth Gold is on par with the Olympic Gold for other sports.

Bowls - Again, it's survived the Glasgow cuts, but is another one that has it's fans and is unlikely to get into the Olympics.

Kabbadi/Koh Koh - must admit if you asked me the rules of either, I would be struggling. However, the latter has a world cup coming up that has some serious representation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kho_Kho_World_Cup - maybe some eyes on this would help elevate the sport to the next level, but it's apparently the fourth most watched sport in India already. Half those countries appear to be commonwealth. I do keep getting videos of these on my feeds and they are oddly addictive - like you aren't sure what's happening but it looks great - which is surely the first aim of every sport!

Squash/Badminton - again, this is odd no racket sports at the latest games, especially as this is not far off a world championship for both.

Wheelchair Rugby League - I'm a big fan of this...but internationally there's only 9 teams shockingly that have played it and just a handful from the commonwealth. This is not murderball/Wheelchair rugby (which could arguably also be included), but something very akin to the original game in terms of scoring. It would definite benefit from bigger global crowds and more eyes.

eSports - there was an event in and around the Birmingham Games I brought my lad to - if you have problems with noise/lights/epilepsy, then not for you! It was the young crowd they seem to obsess with attracting. Lots of music, screens, excitement being generated.

Ultramarathon/Endurance Running - there are a lot of events that lack a real standout event. I saw this on the BBC a month or two back about a 24 hour race: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/articles/cn8y4mky8v9o - unbelievably there's only one professional super long distance runner in the world (and he's Lithuanian and so non-Commonwealth!). Not sure how if it will make good telly, but definitely something others aren't doing.

Highland Games - this is the weirdest one for Glasgow, as all across Scotland we have numerous events all Spring/Summer, and I thought it would be an easy win to make one of these the "Commonwealth" event. I grew up near Geoff Capes and so I was aware of the events as they kept making the news, but strongman events are always popular. So a chance to see big guys throwing Braemers, Tossing the Caber and throwing kegs or sheafs.

Surely that differentiates the games a bit and represents the commonwealth a bit better too?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly3yv91595o

We have the final list of sports that will be at the Glasgow games....

• Athletics and para-athletics (track and field only)
• Swimming and para-swimming
• Artistic gymnastics
• Track cycling and para-track cycling
• Netball
• Weightlifting and para-powerlifting
• Boxing
• Judo
• Bowls and para-bowls
• 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball

Not that much of a surprise on the first four - they were likely to always be included. Netball and Bowls are essentially their Olympic moments, so it would have been a shame if they weren't there. The track and field aspect only...does that mean no marathon? Likewise no mention of Road Cycling either.

The others are a bit controversial I guess. Weightlifting was a fair pick, boxing could be a unique moment if it's no longer at the Olympics (maybe), and then there's Judo and 3x3 Basketball...both slightly outside picks.

Obvious omissions are cricket...which I feel could have been a real money maker for the games and is the top sport of the commonwealth. It's gone from one women's tournament to the Olympics, which is a big leap. Also, no hockey, rugby 7s, Squash or badminton - all big fan drivers. Diving and Table Tennis seems to be a casualty too, which is a shame as it's a chance without the Chinese athletes for others to get a look in! Again, no shooting events, wrestling and triathlon also gone and no head turning "they're doing what now" moment. Feels a bit old fashioned when the last one had Mountain biking, eSports and Beach Volleyball too.

Still think we had a great Birmingham games that we could have built upon and this feels like a slight step back. However, that's the list and I'm sure we will still get some good moments. Now let's find a 2030 pick and kick on...

Does anyone know anything about the youth commonwealth games, I think they are happening next year…

For one, I think they should keep YCW be a there aren’t many opportunities for youth athletes. Plus it’s way cheaper

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8ddeeklxko

We go back to Glasgow for a more affordable and scaled down games - 10 sports rumoured.

I'm not convinced this is right long term. Birmingham set attendance records and looked to be very forward thinking - we even had eSports taking a side show position which attracted a lot of eyes. I felt this one could have really kicked on again, brought in even more sports (ideally with a commonwealth vibe) and said "we're the cool games". Sadly and with the well documented host situation, this is probably the only real option left. Let's see what sports are officially announced and what is left out.

Hopefully the CGF aren't resting and thinking "phew" today...as it's now less than 6 years until the next one and we don't have a host for that either!

But it survives for one more and good luck to Glasgow

Are the commonwealth games doomed, unless some sugar daddy turns up to save their future?
I wonder if the Saudis might be interested!

Unofficial reports say that CGF/Commonwealth Sport have reached an agreement with Glasgow to host the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

These games will be smaller, with 10 or 11 sports compared to 17 in 2014.

2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games Official Intro (youtube.com) I've been trying to find it for AGES but i seem to not be able to.

Hear me out, there's no real reason why everything needs to happen in the same city. We can still have championships but not all together. Let's have the swimming in the Gold Coast, the Hockey in India and the athletics in London. Who's with me?

I’m not in here trying to sell, just getting a feel for things. Over the years I’ve looked on eBay etc and seen them being sold, but I couldn’t really see the point of trying to sell them for a couple of bucks here and there, so I’ve just held onto them. I guess I was hoping to see that some were more sought after than others or something that would make me feel like my obsession back then was warranted and not just me run amok.

Although if it was just me running amok, at least I got some running in, right?

Sadly I no longer live in, or will be returning to Melbourne so I can’t volunteer again. If the games hadn’t been cancelled. Probably save myself a few bucks too. But my fanny bag full of pins still sits on my office desk strangely (haven’t figured out what to do with them), so I thought I’d check in now that the 2026 is no more.

I’ll just keep holding on to them I guess but I’m wondering if they’ll become collectable because of the next one. What do you think? Feel free to roast me. What can I say, I was caught up in the craziness.

Does anyone know where one can buy a Birmingham 2022 replica medal, like the ones the athletes were given? Thanks all :)

Hello everyone would you mind taking less than 5 minutes out of your day to answer a few questions for my geography NEA.

https://forms.gle/c8oCmWnzHtt1rgZm9

Thank you very much

Does anyone know where I might be able to watch the 2022 closing ceremony again? I’ve looked on YouTube but can’t seem to find it anywhere :( was wondering if anyone knew somewhere else to try

Does anyone know where I could watch full replays of the games, like full hockey matches, full sessions or the opening and closing ceremonies?

The men's hockey gold medal match will commence one hour after this post appears.

India take on Australia in Gold Medal action today in the men's final. Australia came back from a 2-0 deficit against England in their Semi Final, powering home with three unanswered goals.

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India were comfortable for most of the way in their victory over South Africa, leading 2-0 at the half time break and 3-1 deep into the match, and despite a late goal from the South Africans the Indian team were triumphant 3-2.

**Come into the match thread to discuss the event, chat about the match in progress, ask questions or just about anything**