It Takes a Village
As the number of Canadian athletes and mission staff moving into the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Athletes' Village grows, the anticipation of a great Commonwealth Games to come is a tangible feeling on-site.
Athletes, in clearly fresh from packaging uniforms, pass each other on the athlete’s village streets, smiling and obviously checking out each other’s gear in the hopes of trading at Games-end. First rides on UK-famous double decker buses test out travel times and security procedures. Local media from Canada and from abroad pour over media guide information building story angles while determining athletes to watch and long-shots.
The Glasgow Team Canada contingent will feature a total of 265 athletes, competing in 16 out of the 17 sports on the Glasgow 2014 Games programme and for many of these athletes these multi-sport Games represent a new experience in Scotland.
Eating in the Athletes' Village for one of the first times, Canadian rugby sevens athlete Harry Jones from West Vancouver says he is impressed with the organization so far but especially by the options in the dining hall as he sits down to eat with his team.
“Things have been running smoothly so far,” says Jones. “The food has been good with great selection and volunteers have been friendly.”
The positive feelings are shared by other athletes from other countries. Bailey Rogers, a weightlifter from New Zealand finds that seeing and interacting with the other athletes is the remarkable part.
“The Games seem well-organized and the dining hall is outstanding,” says Rogers in her fearsome all-black uniform. “The different body types and clothing are interesting to see, I especially like the Canadian hoodies.”
These Games will be powered in a large way by the 15,000 volunteers so proud of these Games. Their volunteerism and pride of place so clearly evident in everything they do.
“We feel privileged,” says volunteer Sally Gray, a volunteer with the cleaning, catering and waste unit. “Overall, there is a great atmosphere, so different from our day-to-day lives. I’ve enjoyed meeting so many athletes and mission staff from around the world.”
Final branded signage and barricades are being installed, local Glasgow and country-proud volunteers fill the local streets and an anticipation of the pending competition start is palpable. Anticipation for these Games continues to build… just wait for the medal haul.
