Commonwealth Games boss Peter Beattie has apologised for what he describes as a “stuff-up” closing ceremony. Athletes, punters and reporters alike were left confused and disappointed as athletes and the flag bearing ceremony was left out the broadcast.
Channel Seven’s hosts Johanna Griggs and Basil Zempalas were blatant in their critiques of the ceremony, showcasing their frustration with how it diverted from important tradition and failed to give athletes the chance to celebrate their achievements.
”Look, we understand many people have been disappointed by tonight’s closing ceremony. ”To be perfectly honest, Jo, so have we. It hasn’t really lived up to expectations” said Zempalas.
Beattie, the chairman of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation, who appeared on Sunrise this morning, has admitted that they got the ceremony wrong, saying there were “too many” speeches that were “too long”.
“Did we stuff it up? Yes. Should [athletes] have been a part of the actual ceremony that was broadcast? Of course. We got it wrong. I can’t be more honest about it than that,”
“We wanted athletes to be part of and enjoy the closing ceremony. However, having them come in to the stadium in the pre-show meant the TV audience were not able to see the athletes enter the stadium, alongside flag bearers. We got that wrong” he added.
https://twitter.com/SmartState1/status/985608358429310976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.smh.com.au%2Fsport%2Fcommonwealth-games-2018%2Fclearly-a-stuff-up-commonwealth-games-boss-apologises-for-closing-ceremony-20180415-p4z9sf.html&tfw_site=smh
Performances from local musicians including Amy Shark, Guy Sebastian, Yothu Yindi, Kate Cebrano and Dami Im were included in the broadcast. Angry viewers have taken to social media to express their disdain towards the ceremony, pointing out how empty the stadium looked with no athletes within it, with some going as far as to say it was “pathetic”.
A before (top) and after (bottom) of the number of athletes at the #ClosingCeremony. Yeah that was a pretty rubbish show tbh pic.twitter.com/JXpmZPWsCU
— Tim Lindsay (@TimLindsay10) April 15, 2018
#ClosingCeremony Well the Queensland organisers stuffed up the opening and closing ceremonies for the Commonwealth Games. It was self indulgent and egos for a few organisers. Where were the athletes? Not one medal to be seen. Bloody pathetic.
— Dr David Sweet (@DASbboomer) April 15, 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=D1w1KQ6bucY&app=desktop
