Executive Summary
AI
- UK sprinter Jeremiah Arzu has joined a growing debate at the Commonwealth Games about respecting the flag, respecting the Games and making an effort to turn up.0:00
- The host says Hamish Kerr has had an easy run over his maybe-maybe-not decision, with no media scrutiny, and that a good chunk of the English team has bailed as well.0:10
- He admits he is not a Commonwealth Games fan and questions who will follow a team of potential heroes when the current stars do not see it as worth their while.0:50
- He notes the event already has survival issues, with Glasgow being paid for by Victoria and sports cut down to three-a-side backyard basketball.1:09
- He calls for bluntness: if you don't want to go, don't get selected, because sponsors and governments that fund it deserve to know what they are getting, even if the Games must be demoted to an up-and-comers outing.1:17
Brief overview
If athletes do not want to go to the Commonwealth Games, they should not get selected.
Athletes pulling out has gone largely unquestionedThe host says there was a complete absence of media probing Hamish Kerr's in-and-out decision.
Don't get selected if you won't goSponsors and national governments deserve to know the standard and expectation.
The Games may need to be demotedIf time has passed it by, an up-and-comers outing would be fine, but clear the air.
Questions this recording answers
4 questions, each answered where it is said
What did Jeremiah Arzu say about the Commonwealth Games?
Jeremiah Arzu, a sprinter from the UK, entered a growing debate at the Games by talking about respecting the flag, respecting the Commonwealth Games and generally making an effort to turn up, effectively asking whether athletes can simply turn up or not as they please.
Answered around 0:00Why is Hamish Kerr's decision being questioned?
The host says Kerr has had an easy run with his maybe-maybe-not decision-making, stressing he can do whatever he likes. The complaint is the lack of scrutiny and complete absence of media probing whether all the in and out is kosher, while a good chunk of the English team has also bailed.
Answered around 0:10What survival issues do the Commonwealth Games face?
The host says the Games already have survival issues, pointing out that Glasgow is being paid for by Victoria and that sports have been cut, joking they are now down to three-a-side backyard basketball.
Answered around 1:09What does the host think should happen with athlete selection?
His view is simple: if you don't want to go, don't get selected. Sponsors and national governments who fund much of the event deserve a setup where they know what they are getting and understand the standard and expectation. If needed, the Games could be demoted to an up-and-comers outing.
Answered around 1:24
Key Quote
“Important to point out, by the way, he can do whatever he likes.”
— Host0:16
Key Quote
“The sports have been cut. We're now down to three-a-side backyard basketball.”
— Host1:13
Key Quote
“And a bit of bluntness? And a bit of reality?”
— Host1:21