COMMONWEALTH GAMES DIARY: It does not feel like at home Games

But I was given a definite answer when watching the rugby sevens at the Ibrox Stadium when Scotland faced England.

The boys in blue were given a rapturous reception amid scenes and volume levels which rekindled brilliant memories from London 2012.

However, when England were introduced to the jam-packed stadium, the atmosphere was equally as loud – due to the chorus of boos.

It wasn’t just because England were against the hosts either because it was the same when England took on Wales later in the day.

Of course, England does have plenty of support and there are plenty of England flags on view everywhere you look inside the various arenas.

But when it comes to the partisan backing and the true advantages of having a home crowd you firmly behind I think it’s safe to say that is just reserved for Scotland.

And I still have the boos ringing in my ears to prove it!

COMMONWEALTH GAMES DO FEEL UNIQUE

AS a huge athletics fans I have previously attended the Olympics and World and European Championships in a whole host of countries, but this has been my first taste of the Commonwealths – and I love it.

Sure for the purists of the sport, the standard of some of the events may not be up there with the best in the world, but it is still entertaining.

And, although it may be something of a cliché, there is definitely a unique, friendly feel to these Games.

Hampden Park sits alongside the Olympic Stadium as the best I’ve ever seen athletics in and the crowds have also been huge. 

Ibrox for the rugby sevens was just as the same and plenty of fun was had by all, with the crowd’s karaoke sessions almost as entertaining as the matches.

THE ONE DOWNSIDE SO FAR? THE QUEUES

THERE has not been much to moan about when it comes to the Commonwealths so far as even the sun has been shining.

But travelling to and from the venues has proved to be quite problematic.

What should have been a 50-minute journey back to the hotel from the rugby sevens ended up taking more than three hours.

And Southend’s own running star Adam Hickey was also caught up in the chaos while going to watch the first day of the athletics at Hampden Park on Sunday.

Hickey tweeted the picture above and said: “This is how most people will be watching today’s athletics, queuing!”

DIVING AND GYMNASTICS SEEM TO BE THE MOST POPULAR

WONDERING what the hottest ticket in town is here in Glasgow right now? 

Well, according to those issuing passes for the press, it is events containing two of our very own athletes.

As while a general press pass can gain you entry to any of the competitions at the Commonwealth Games, extra special permission is needed to attend both the gymnastics and the diving due to the popularity of both events.

The Tom Daley effect surely affects the diving but Oliver Dingley will also be looking to impress while the gymnastics, featuring Max Whitlock, is proving to be hugely popular with the returning Louis Smith on the front cover of the programme yesterday.

Also inside the magazine was also an in depth interview with Canvey’s very own Dean Macey.

THERE MAY BE HOPE YET

THE Commonwealths Games often provides a platform for athletes to first experience international competition.

As a result, they also regularly conjure up a number of memorable stories and favourite so far has to be England’s marathon runner Steve May. 

Back in 2007, he weighed 16 stone and smoked 20 cigarettes a day but he finished 10th here in Glasgow.

And it makes me think there may be hope for me and my own hopeless running just yet!