Benny\’s Beat
MY latest sporting adventure is drawing to a close with the highly anticipated closing ceremony of the Pacific Games on Saturday night.
Organisers have publicly said ‘it will be better than the opening’.
That’s a big statement, for those who watched the opening on NITV.
There must be something special planned, to pull down the curtain of what has been an enormous success and a credit to the Papua New Guinean Government and Games organisers.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neil has constantly trumpeted the Games would be a success and stressed the venues and legacy are here forever.
I came over here to commentate on outrigger, triathlon and boxing, only to learn one day before kickoff I also had the swimming.
The aquatic competition was conducted in a brand new $150 million pool, and despite being the first ever time, 38 new Pacific Games records were set.
French Olympian Lara Grangeon quickly set the tempo on her way to 11 gold medals and qualify for next month’s World Championships in Russia.
This mermaid, who wore a technicolour costume each night, enchanted the screaming crowd each time she was interviewed at her races.
But the biggest cheer was saved for the local Ryan Pini who mesmerized everyone on his way to five records and seven gold medals.
The 33-year-old Brisbane based super fish came out of retirement to help his country, and he certainly didn’t let anyone down.
I think his biggest moment was his come-from-behind win in the newly created 4 x 50 metre mixed medley relay.
Giving the Fijian’s a 10-metre start on the last leg, he quickly caught up and touched out 35-year-old Olympian Caroline Puamau in a finish that had everyone, including me on their feet.
It won’t surprise me, Ryan should carry his country’s flag on Saturday night.
Just like the Gold Coast in three years’ time, the venues and local performances on and off the track will leave indelible memories.
I am sure a lot of the Pacific Islands Commonwealth nations will use these facilities on their way to the Gold Coast.
I am delighted that the new look Coast Commonwealth games taskforce has been widened to include Noosa.
It’s important that we promote all our venues and push any opportunity to get teams/countries to come here.
Both Noosa and Sunshine councils have wonderful international standard venues, the Games has 17 Sports from badminton, lawn bowls, wrestling, weightlifting to swimming, triathlon, athletics and boxing.
Councillor Sandy Bolton will do a great job as the local representative and having 1986 Gold Medallist Ian Scuhback as her partner will only help.
While the sport has been fantastic, my moment to remember was catching up with my old boarding school mate for the first time in 46 years.
While our afternoon together brought back some terrific memories, I am afraid I suffered badly the next day, and don’t want to see him again for another 46.
Until next time.
