One of the noticeable characteristics of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has been the incorporation of able bodied and Para-Sports events in the same programme. Whilst the Olympics involve dramatically more athletes and events, necessitating the separation of the meetings for the two sporting groups (and indeed many would argue that Para-Sports deserve their own distinct showcase), the 'Friendly Games' are able to live up that aspiration and are enhanced by the possibility of combining them together. The benefits for the organisers are clear, allowing more countries to compete for the Games each time in the knowledge that costs can be better controlled by only having to put on the one 'show'.
For the athletes, it allows them to better mix together and feed off the atmosphere, besides gaining a better appreciation of how good at their events they really are with superstars like Usain Bolt and Bradley Wiggins rubbing shoulders with Para-Sports' names like David Weir and Libby Clegg. For spectators it illustrates the high standards that the Para-Sports can achieve and should help to improve general awareness of what they have to offer.
Indeed arguably it could be said that many of the biggest cheers and best moments so far have come in the Para-Sports competitions. Who can forget the sound in the Chris Hoy Velodrome at the conclusion of the tandem events, as the proud Scots of MacLean and Fachie defied the odds (and their rapidly tiring bodies) to defeat the Aussies?
What about the Hampden roar that accompanied Libby Clegg and her guide runner Mikail Huggins victory in the women's 100m T11/12 classification, allowing the vociferous crowd to provide their own rendition of "O Flower of Scotland" in celebration? Perhaps more poignant still, who could have been failed to be moved by the bronze medal in the pool for Scotland's new young darling, 13 year old Erraid Davies of the Shetland Isles?
One wonders if this attempt to combine able bodied and Para-Sports' events on the same programme will prove to be a recipe for future major sporting celebrations, but if not, let us embrace Glasgow's wonderful display of what all people in our society have to offer and remember as a result the memories they have bestowed on us for the future.
