How the New World will dominate the Games’ debut events

Published on Sunday 21 July 2002 01:00

THE Commonwealth may be an antiquated concept as far as some are concerned, but they could never accuse the Commonwealth Games of not attempting to move with the times.

Four new sports have been included in the main event programme of the XVII Games, in Manchester, with women being allowed to participate in the weightlifting for the first time, and the century-old sport of table tennis joining the fairly modern mountain-biking and triathlon as the new kids on the Commonwealth Games block.

The introduction of the sports have been welcomed by those countries who will benefit, primarily Australia and Canada, who will use the new disciplines to bolster their medal tallies.

Both the men’s and women’s triathlons, which should prove a fantastic finale for the Manch-ester Games thanks to the fact more than six world champions past or present are included in the field, are likely to be dominated by the two countries, although England’s Simon Lessing could give Canada’s Simon Whitfield or Australia’s Chris Hill and Peter Robertson a run, swim and cycle for their money when it comes to the medals.

The triathlon has been a demonstration event at the Games before, but this time the medals will be for real.

In the women’s event, Scotland’s Steph Forrester is an outside bet for a medal, although it is unlikely she will do enough to prevent Michellie Jones, Loretta Harrop (both Australia) or Carol Montgomery of Canada winning gold.

The Canadians and Australians will also be a force to be reckoned with in the mountain-biking, especially in the men’s event where Canada’s Roland Green, the current world champion, is in a class of his own.

However, there is some home hope in the guise of Caroline Alexander, who finished second in last year’s World Cup series and has been strongly tipped for a medal for Scotland in the inaugural year. The Manchester course, which has been designed specifically for the Games, is said to suit her strengths, and the British course could enhance the chances of the other home nations riders breaking the stranglehold of the big two on bikes over rough terrain.

Table tennis is likely to have the Australians salivating, although the Canadians could again take a medal, thanks to Johnny Huang. Defeated in the Sydney Olympics by the eventual gold medallist, Linghui Kong from China, he is amongst the favourites to take the men’s gold at the inaugural Commonwealth Games table tennis competition.

He will be challenged strongly by England’s Matthew Syed, the 2001 Commonwealth champion, who is hoping to capitalise on the home support.

In the women’s event the podi-um is likely to be dominated by the Singapore competitors, with Li Jia Wei and Jing Jun Hong the hot favourites. The former should win the singles, but the latter has a wonderful chance in the women’s and mixed doubles.

Normal service should be re-sumed in the women’s weightlifting when the Australian/Canadian carve-up should be completed. Natasha Barker, the Australian record holder in the 58kg clean and jerk competition, will be joined by Caroline Pileggi, No.1 in the Commonwealth in the 75+kg division, who will be seeking to win multiple gold medals in Manchester.

Maryse Turcotte of Canada, fourth in the Sydney Olympics, is one of the few who can foil their plans, although Scotland’s Kirstie Law will be giving everything she’s got.