Excitement building, finally

After a slow build-up, and plenty of criticism of both its cost and the actual competitiveness, finally Melbourne seems to have embraced the idea of hosting the Commonwealth Games.

And just in time, too, for tonight the MCG hosts the opening ceremony and tomorrow competition kicks off in a lot of the events.

While the local press have been talking about ticket sales (or the lack of them), Ian Thorpe’s sniffles and Jana-gate III, SportsAustralia.com has found the chatter among the international press at Games HQ more about their own competitors’ chances and how good the coffee is.

The fact is that if you’ve been anywhere in the vicinity of Melbourne the past week, you could not have escaped the various shades of blue that have come to represent the Games, and if you were in the CBD yesterday, it was a mix of colour, excitement and crowds full of international and interstate guests.

Other media outlets may look to look down upon these games, but here at SportsAustralia.com you’ll get the latest news and views from the 2006 Commonwealth Games from Melbourne as our writers report live from events and give their take on the big issues that will get the town talking.

So forget the rest, stick with the SportsAustralia.com team or the next 12 days to receive the best coverage straight from the Games.

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