Every one will feel that are in Manchester, England tonight via TV! The eyes of people who love sports will be watching the Opening Ceremonies of the 17th Commonwealth Games.
THE HISTORY
At one time the Roman Empire ruled Great Britain.They built a Fort on the Inwell River,(in 79 AD), and called it Mancunium. This is a very old City.
It rains a lot and there isn't a lot of sun the but the people are very friendly.
MANCHESTER
The City began to grown during the Industrial Revolution, (1900's), when the population was about 500,00 people. Thirty years ago it it stopped grown and the population is still the same. Not many tourists came to visit. I visted here before the entire down town area was rebuild after an IRA bomed it.
If you look on a map you will find it in the northwestern part of England. The major Industries were texiles and coal mining. Today it is a ''trendy'' place to visit.
The ''Manconians'', (sp?), don't let it bother them and love to walk, shop, sing and dance in it.
The Pub I liked best is called ''Cyprus''. There are only 2 taps. One tap is owned by a Turk from Cyprus while the other is owned by a Greek from that Island. They must have a ''war'' there every night! They don't and that's the point I'm trying to make in this review.
We have enough Wars in the World and I hope that MouthShut
will follow the example of the owners of the Bar and the Nations who will be gathering in Manchester tonight.
THE GAMES
There are 72 Countries that make up the Commonwealth and while the Commonwealth has been shrinking the Games have been growing.
THE HISTORY OF THE GAMES
The Games began in 1930, (in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada), and were called ''the British Empire Games''. This name lasted until 1950.
From 1950-1962 they were called ''the British Empire and Commonwealth Games. The name was changed after that to The Commonwealth Games.
The ''Tragic Games'' were in 1986 in Edinburgh, Scotland when the Game's Officials allowed South Africa to participate, (despite their apartheid policies), and 32 Countries with drew from the Games.
South Africa's returned during the last Games in Victoria, B.C.
I HAVE BEEN PART OF THE GAMES
1) The Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Commonwealth Games were the first to make money and the highest quality of performance by the Athletes. The Prince and Princess of Wales opened the Games. Princess Diana was dressed in a ''Klondike Days Costume''. It was her Birthday and we all sand ''Happy Birthday to her''. I was proud to be a volunteer.
2) The Victoria, British Columbia Games were the last Games to be held in Canada and we just came here to see them.
IN MANCHESTER
There are two issues of concern about these Games.
1) The first is the security of the Athletes, Spectators and the people who are in Manchester during this time. I understand that ''sniffer dogs'' will be used in the City, at all Hotels, at all the Venues and in the Athletes Village.
The security in the City is because most of Manchester's
down town was blown up by the IRA.
2) The other issue is ''doping'' at the Games. There already have been Athletes who have withdrew,(voluntarily),
from these Games.
Although the most modern methods of finding the Athletes who cheat are being used I don't believe that they will catch all of the Athletes who use dope to win.
Every time a method is introduced to find the cheats and new pill, exchanging blood or urine is used under the noses of the people who are conducting the tests.
A winning Athlete makes a lot of money through many endorsements. Their Country's prestige rises every time a medal is won.
I don't believe that doping will end until the Sports Federations want it to end. They control the money of the Athletes and the Coaches.
I will never forget the shame that all Canadians felt when Ben Johnson won a gold medal during the Olympic Games in Japan and lost it the next day when his urine test showed he was using steroids.
In the United States even Professional Base Ball Players are using ''enhancements'' so they can hit farther or run faster.
SOME OF THE DRUGS THAT ARE NOT ALLOWED ARE
Cocaine, some Diuretics,''Pot'', the Steroid Nandralone as well as some over the counter cold and flue Medicine.
A young man from Canada has been sent home because he used herbs and over the counter sports drink. There were small traces of the Steroid Nandralone. He will have a second test and if the Steroid is gone he will be allowed to return to the Games on Tuesday.
I AM PROUD OF MY COUNTRY
When will it end? I don't know. What I do know is that I hope it ends soon. Canada has been a leader in trying to control doping and having proper judging at all sports events.
TONIGHT IN MANCHESTER
I won't be sitting in the 38,000 Stadium but I will be watching on T.V.
I will watch the flags of the 72 Countries that will lead the 5,000 Athletes into the Stadium to begin the 17th Commonwealth Games.
I will be cheering loudly when Canada's Daniel Igali, ( our gold medal Wrestler), will carry our Flag and lead our 281 Adherents into the Stadium.
Mr. Igali was from Nigeria but defected after the Games in Victoria and has become a ''Canuk''!
I will be praying that in honour of our Queen's Golden Jubilee that these will be the first sports games in modern history that will be ''clean games'' and no dopers will be found because there were none using anything.
MY THOUGHTS
I am very happy that these Games were awarded to Manchester. This means until the next Games this City will be a Tourist Destination. I hope I can go back one day and see what the new Manchester looks like.
I know all of the people who live in Manchester are going to have a lot of fun...so enjoy your Games.
To find out more about Manchester the link is:
https://manchester.worldweb.com
©LL2002
