If you are not into sport, best leave the country for the next couple of weeks.
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Our sport mad nation is about to lock into the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
It is the fifth time the Commonwealth Games has been held in Australia adding to Sydney (1938), Perth (1962), Brisbane (1982) and Melbourne (2006).
The Commonwealth Games have been held every four years, except for World War 2, since the first British Empire Games were held in Hamilton, Canada in 1930.
It has been the stage of many of Australia’s greatest historical sporting moments.
Take, for example, the “Miracle Mile” at the 1954 Games when England’s Roger Bannister and Australian John Landy created history by both breaking the four-minute mile in a race.
The Illawarra’s very own, the late great Kerryn McCann, provided the arguably the greatest moment of the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games entering the MCG to the roar of 75,000 to win a memorable marathon.
A lot is expected of Australian athletes in every Commonwealth Games and this year will be no different.
Likewise a lot will be expected of the many Illawarra athletes who will no doubt fly the flag prominently at the Games.
Rugby Sevens star Emma Tonegato (pictured) will play a key role while there will be a lot of focus on our track stars Ryan Gregson and Madeline Hills. Berry’s Tom Connor will feature in the men’s rugby sevens.
Illawarra Hawk stars Mitch Norton and Nick Kay will be key parts of an Australian Boomers basketball side hunting gold, while Blake Govers, Flynn Ogilvie and Grace Stewart will be key players for the national hockey sides.
Karen Murphy will be competing as part of the women’s lawn bowls team, while Wollongong-based Ashleigh Gentle and Charlotte McShane will be competing in the women’s triathlon.
And then of course there is the dynamic brother and sister combination Emma and David McKeon who will be a part of the Australian team in the pool.
Sussex Inlet swimmer Jasmine Green will also be the youngest member of the Australian Dolphins team.
Congratulations and best of luck to all of the Illawarra athletes taking part and we will be right behind you.
