'No guarantees' - joyful Glasgow cannot banish all Commonwealth Games doubts

Organizers of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow declared the event a resounding success, stating it "exceeded all expectations" in the 11 days since it began. This positive assessment comes despite a significant drop in ticket sales, with 434,000 sold compared to 1.5 million for Birmingham in 2022, a figure organizers attribute to the scaled-down nature of this year's event.

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exceeded all expectations

On the ground, the atmosphere was largely described as joyful and engaged, with many venues filled with enthusiastic crowds. Spectators witnessed notable performances, including Josh Kerr's victory in athletics and Angharad Evans' achievements in swimming. Jamaica's netball team also celebrated a significant win over Australia, highlighting the Games' continued importance for certain sports.

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It has been rare to enter a venue and not find a joyful, engaged crowd.

However, the event was not without its critics. Some residents complained about parking spaces being taken, and taxi drivers and shop owners felt the Games passed them by. Furthermore, questions linger about the Games' visibility beyond Glasgow, particularly concerning media coverage within the UK, which was less extensive than in other participating nations like Australia and New Zealand, where the event received free-to-air broadcast.

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Big names such as Kerr and Adam Ramsay-Peaty - with his emotional reaction to taking bronze in the pool - broke out of this Glaswegian bubble, but what else?

Despite the withdrawal of some high-profile athletes, the Games served as a launchpad for emerging talent. Athletes like 18-year-old swimmer Filip Nowacki, gymnasts Ruby Evans and Reuben Ward, and cyclist Henry Hobbs captured attention. The future of the Commonwealth Games remains a topic of discussion, with the next edition scheduled for Ahmedabad, India, in 2026, potentially serving as a stepping stone towards India's Olympic aspirations.

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Organisers said their social media views passed those of Birmingham within the opening few days and highlighted record-breaking television figures in Australia and New Zealand, where the Games were free-to-air.