This entry was posted on Monday, August 4th, 2014at 11:21 am by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

The World Watched And Was Inspired As Glasgow Kept Its Promise!

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games promised to be the best ever and boy did they deliver! 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 nations competed in 17 sports and after 11 days: 140 Commonwealth records had been broken, Team England finished top of the medals table and Scotland came away with a record haul – smashing their previous best performance.

What an inspirational Games! There were too many magical moments to mention them all! We watched as Usain Bolt kept the crowds entertained as the Jamaican 4x100m relay team stormed away with gold. There was 16-year-old gymnast Claudia Fragapane – 4ft 5in, hoping merely to make a few finals, leaving as the first Englishwoman to win 4 gold medals at a single Games in 84 years.

Who could forget the face of Ross Murdoch? Overshadowed by poster-boy favourite Michael Jamieson before the 200m breaststroke final, but a new Scottish hero after it, having not only snatched gold but by improving his personal best by 6 seconds.

And there was rhythmic gymnast Frankie Jones, who boosted Wales’ medal prospects by winning 5 of them on her own and a silver with her team. At the closing ceremony she was also presented with the David Dixon Award which recognises an outstanding athlete of the Games.

Everyone at Active Nation was proud to see Chris Mears and his diving partner Jack Laugher win gold in the 3m Synchro Diving competition. Chris used to be based at Active Nation’s Quays Swimming and Diving Complex in Southampton, but relocated to Leeds earlier this year to train with Jack.

Jack said: “It was amazing. The Commonwealth Games have been an absolute dream for me. I was hoping, if I could get lucky, to come away with 3 medals, so to come away with 2 golds and a silver is absolutely fantastic.

“To do the last one with my best mate and for us to get that alongside each other is what we’ve been dreaming of all year.”

It was equally satisfying for Chris, who had just missed out on a medal in the 1m springboard. He said:“I was gutted with the 1m. I was so close to the bronze that it put pressure on me today.”

Active Nation was also proud that a key member of the Southampton Diving Academy team – Frank Clewlow – was also officiating as a member of the recording team. Frank is a very experienced diving official – not only is he part of the SDA team but he’s also the diving manager for the south east region of ASA. He travels around the UK and abroad officiating at the highest level – including being the assistant chief recorder at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Glasgow promised to be the best ever and they did it! During the spectacular closing ceremony Mike Hooper, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “Each medallist who returns to their community will get a hero’s welcome, and encourage others to have a go – to pursue their dreams.

“This is one of the most powerful elements of sport – the ability to inspire our youth – and we have seen fantastic role models in action across these 11 days in Glasgow.

“I have no doubt that these have been great Games, and, in my view, are the stand out Games in the history of the movement.”

Have you been inspired by the Commonwealth Games? Visit your local Active Nation venue to see how you and your family can get active! We can’t promise gold medals – but it will be lots of fun and keep you fit and healthy.