ASHLEIGH JANSEN
Inclusion has been one of the main goals for organisers of this years 2018 Commonwealth Games. Ensuring everyone, no matter age, gender, nationality, race, religion, socio-economic demographic, and disability are to be welcomed and included has been front and centre in GC2018’s development.
For the first time in a major multi-sport Games, there will be an equal number of medal events for both men and women.
The para-sports program is the largest ever in Commonwealth Games history with a massive contingent of 300 para-athletes competing across 38 medal events. That’s 73% more medals than Glasgow 2014.
Swimmer for the Australian para-athlete team Rohan Bright said “It’s great to have the one team one dream motto, we’re all one team no matter what disability, what background.”
All athletes and para-athletes from their selective nations will enter the opening ceremony united as one team.
A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to provide legacy outcomes has been established for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This Action Plan strategises meaningful legacy towards reconciliation and acts as a framework for other host nations of the Commonwealth.
In an Australian first, the Pride in Sports Index (PSI) was implemented as a benchmarking programme to gauge inclusion of LGTBI people within Australian sport. The PSI is a joint initiative of the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Sports Commission which allows sporting organisations to govern and propose good practice and to implement a zero tolerance stance against homophobia, harassment and bullying.
Nigerian Team Official Okechukwu Nnacheta, said inclusion to him meant “togetherness, brotherhood, oneness, unity, that’s what it means to me.”