The stars are not bothered
The Commonwealth Games were one of the staple sporting events in the history of the colonial countries. For most Commonwealth nations, the Games mean something, and the spectacles have always been designed to foster cultural awareness. This year’s Games have felt different, as the Games have been moved from the BBC as the main broadcaster to a paid broadcast on HBO Max. This move has damaged the Games’ reputation, and viewership has declined significantly.
Before the Games started, it was official that Asher-Smith and Johnson-Thompson were definitely out of the Games. Several athletes from the English camp also withdrew from the Games.
Athletics is one of the most popular events in the Commonwealth Games, and without these famous athletes, the Games would not be fun and engaging. People have criticised whether the Commonwealth Games are important to these athletes or if they are saving their energy for the European Championships in August. It was no surprise that other athletes such as Matthew Hudson-Smith and Daryl Neita also pulled out of the Games.
Johnson-Thompson notes that she was gutted to miss the Games on home soil, and she did want to defend her championship. Even though the injury sustained this season has improved, she was not 100% to compete in the Commonwealth Games, and she will be back for the European Championships next month. The European Championships mean more to her than the Commonwealth Games.
Asher-Smith and Hudson-Smith did not provide any reasons why they have withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games, but the reasons are clear, as all of them have their sights set on European glory next month.
Big stars pulling out of the game shows that the Commonwealth Games don’t have the same attraction that they did before, and big stars like Johnson-Thompson saying that she will be back for the European Athletics Championships shows a lack of willingness to participate in the Commonwealth Games. BBC should regain the broadcasting rights to increase viewership.
