Angered by the Games' organisers' decision to largely exclude athletes from the televised celebration, Seven Network commentators Basil Zempilas and Johanna Griggs – herself a former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist – voiced their fury at the decision.
''Look, we understand many people have been disappointed by tonights Closing Ceremony,'' Zempilas said. ''To be perfectly honest Jo, so have we. It hasnt really lived up to expectations.''
Griggs didn't hold back. ''Im sorry, youre being way too polite,'' she said. ''People are thinking that Channel 7 has chosen not to show pictures of athletes or not to show the flagbearer, Kurt Fearnley, or other flagbearers. We can only show the pictures that are provided by the actual host broadcasters. They made a decision not to have athletes enter the stadium. They made the decision not to show the flagbearers. Im furious.
Commentator Johanna Griggs.
''Actually wrecking a a tradition that is so important. You want to see the athletes come in. You want to see them jumping in front of camera. You want to see them celebrating 11 days of great sport. We missed out on all of that… Theres no athletes in here. Ive never seen the stadium so empty.''
The hosts went on to laud the performances of the athletes, and commend their sportsmanship.
''We were not able to bring you any pictures because we did not have pictures available to us to bring you,'' Zempilas said. ''Its a disappointing conclusion.''
Griggs said: ''A little consolation. We had vision of Kurt. We were on the bus before we came in. We werent allowed to put it in the ceremony. Were actually restricted by it. So Kurt actually did have his moment with his teammates which was important. But I just wish we could have had that moment.''
