It’s now a week on from the finish of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and I have been reflecting on what a ride it was! As mayor of our athlete’s village with Mark Stockwell, it was an absolute honour and an amazing opportunity to be a part of this beautiful event.
I say beautiful because having met and welcomed each of the 71 teams, I came to understand just how appreciative and grateful the athletes, officials and delegates were to have the opportunity to come together in such an inclusive and positive environment. Many of those we welcomed, came to me to specifically thank me for how at ease they felt and how special they felt. It was like they were overwhelmed with how effortless everything was for them.
It reminded me of almost 8 years prior, when the journey began with a small team of amazing people full of passion, dedication and spirit! I had the honour of giving my time to be a part of the Business and Community Committee for the Gold Coast Bid for the Commonwealth Games as well as the Athlete Advisory Committee and we presented to the many delegates of the Commonwealth, showing off our home town, telling them what kind of Games we were going to deliver – one of friendliness and one that would be centred around the athletes.
I remember presenting a virtual reality fly though of the planned athletes village explaining why it was going to be one of the best villages ever, and then fast forward to 2018 and there we were standing in the middle of something truly amazing… a village and a Games that was the best there ever had been! Enjoying comforts in the village (with resort style living and barista brewed coffee by the pool) most certainly would’ve contributed to the many world records and numerous Commonwealth Games records, and what a delight they were to watch!
I loved every minute of the games and feel so sad they are over but it’s also kinda nice to enjoy some calmness. It certainly took a team effort for me to be involved with my two kiddies, one of whom I am still breast feeding. I am so thankful and appreciative to my Mum, Dad, my MIL (Mum in-law) and my husband who banded together to help me be both the best the mayor I could be and best commentator I could be for the cycling events, which was for the world feed and live streaming of the 7Comm Games app. There were a few meltdowns and tanti’s over the two weeks from the kiddies who were missing their mummy, and I think my support team now needs a month to recover! 😉 However, the Commonwealth Games will be etched in my little girl’s memory as she continually asks about it, the flags, the runners she saw in the marathon and of course Borobi!
The Gold Coast delivered gold thanks to the organising team, the core of whom have been involved since before we even knew whether the Gold Coast would win the right to host the Games! This core team have poured their heart and soul with passion into making it the most inclusive games, the first games to have equal medals for men and women, the first games to be hosted in a regional city and a Games where the athletes came first. Of course, it doesn’t happen without volunteers who are the face of the games and I am so proud of my magnificent city that I have called home for 30years.
What a ride, thanks for the memories GC2018! Now back to being a mummy for a while 😊
