Alexjc

If it's learnings they are after...good choice. BUT gee wizz, technology just keeps moving so fast that the ticketing solutions at 2012 will be long obsolete in two years. At least these games have got me fired up for 2014 - the horrors of 2010 now fading away...and thanks to London for this, roll on Glasgow. Wish Kayaking was in the CWGs as part of the rowing. No worries to use the Leigh Valley course again.

A covered 35k seat Rugby Stadium and a brand new multi pool swimming complex is part of the Christchurch Rebuild plan released yesterday. The facilities are part of a major re-drawing of the CBD which includes a massive green space 'belt' and the Avon River turned into a waterfront area. The crown jewel in the rebuild is the Convention Centre which will be located next to the Cathedral Square. This will handle up to 3000 guests as new hotels will be built into it. This confirms the end of the popular 1974 CWG Stadium, QEII Park along with the mighty 45k seater AMI Stadium which were damaged beyond repair by last year's earthquake. Although very early days, there is a plan to allow Christchurch to bid for a future 'big' sports event in the 20's. This can only mean a Commonwealth Games.

In the last four, Manchester 02 opening was the best, IMO...As for cost to benefit ratio, CWG openings are too costly for the Games status...Like the ASEAN and Asian Games, pointless. An example of short, simple, and sweet...last year's RWC opening, effective and to the point.

So expensive!...Annoyingly Maglev has been around since viable electricity, and in primitive form befor that. It just needs to get cheaper. Perfect airport to downtown transport system, its just so complex a system to operate- for now anyway.

Me thinks China wants to bid for a future tournament...AND the idea of a Japanese flagged event on Chinese soil is still too much to stomach. Naturaly, NZ backs China's decision to withdrawal Hong Kong's hosting!

Nice artistic renderings of the Athlete's village...It sure beats high rise tower blocks.

This is such a shame...No wonder the CWGs are becomming a turn off. But then this IS India's fault. At least Glasgow looks to be placing the CWGs onto a more frugal and sustainable path...If they do succeed, then I might start liking the Commonwealths again!

Ding!...If this rail system is in place by 2026...

This artical just appeared in the NZ Herald this morning. Wasn't the Sydney-Canberra XPT route suppose to be the beginning of this 25 years ago? Bloody expensive to build, and pointless if the airlines can undercut fares. Sydney - Melbourne would be the first section built. The problem with HSTs are the fact that they have to be custom built, track bed up, for the region they serve in - i.e. you can't run a Shinkansen in Europe or a German ICE in Japan - thus their horrendous cost. As for the Sydney - Canberra route, if you're going to spend money like this, you might as well go for Ultra HST...MagLev. These trains could really finish off the small commuter airlines and give Qantaslink a hard knock on this route.

Sooo...the 2022 OWGs are more likely to be Western Europe v USA then?...A traditional 'non frontier' hosting bid?

Loved the build up to that jabb! Any hoo, yeah a southern OWGs. With Christchurch a total write off for the next 30-50 years, what minimal chance the Southern Hemiphere have in hosting this now prestigous event are now gone... That is of course, if a youth OWGs is never considered? NZ and Australia could easily host those?

Just sort of close this thread...Paul Henry tendered his resignation this afternoon to TVNZ boss Rik Ellis. It has been accepted. Citing the damage to the company and NZ to be to great to show his face on TV again. Sometimes you just got to know when to zip it!!

Oh Scotguy! you totally spoiled it with pictures like that! 2014 is sooooooooooooooooo far awaaaaaaaaay! Anyways PAUL HENERY has be suspended for two weeks off air without pay after he finally blew it! He race based slandered the Governer General while interviewing the Prime Minister when disscussing the GG's replacement. The look on John Key's face is totally priceless. It also looks like an inquiry into his behaviour is about to begin...Wouldn't be surprised if he gets a full discplinary interview followed by dismissal.

Personally I hate the guy...a symbol of arrogant White New Zealand that still simmers just below the surface in the more affluent areas of Auckland...still funny to watch though!

Sevens, but will go for a wander to other events, not there for the whole games, bummer.

I'm going because so is New Zealand...announced this evening, sweet... Got to remember it's the village that has the problems, not the venues which have really been 'shined up' over the last week. Apparently over 3000 cleaners are at work in the village now!

Looks like New Zealand IS going to ND...NZOC has given thumbs up after returning from New Delhi. Team will start to arrive from Tuesday 28 with many sub teams arriving towards their events and allowed to leave after them...

Prime News has reported that the NZOCC is on the verge of pulling the NZ team out of New Delhi. Due to the condition of the allocated apartments for the team.

Hey it's getting really bad now...We could find out tomorrow if the games will be trimmed back, posponed or cancelled. Either way it's bad news for ND.

CWGs are still some ten months away...Anythings likley with such a risky venue, but hey - Seoul '88 was well within artillary range from the North Korean border, and everyone that mattered showed up anyway. As for any retribution in 2014 if England was not to show up this year, highly unlikely...But dumb luck would have it...Look what happened in 1986. - It wasn't even Scotland's fault!!!

There is no chance of the CWGs moving elswhere now...They will only be cancelled if the worst situation occurs. If England was to pull out it probibly wouldn't matter - just a bad look - but if it starts a domino effect, with the likes of Canada, Australia, South Africa etc dropping out, then we have a problem.

Mainly to our England GB members out there... Would it really matter if England didn't attend, considering a Home Olympics will only be two years away and most athletes would be 'saving' themselves for it anyway? Still, I hope England attends - just bring your own security forces as well.