Rugby 7's Ground Announcer & Crowd Behaviour at The Commonwealth Games

I wish to express concern regarding my experiences on Saturday evening at the Rugby 7's at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Having arrived at the stadium 1 hour early to enjoy the atmosphere before taking our seats, an enjoyable evening was developing. But after taking our seats, and watched the first few games, the Ground Announcer inexplicably cast a black cloud over the spirit of the competition with an animated announcement "news from the swimming......Ian Thorpe, in the 100 meters backstroke, HAS JUST COME 2ND!!!!!!!!!". The announcer failed to provide the details of the winner (another Australian in World Champion Matt Welsh), proving the unsavoury nature of the comment. This was met by cheering from the majority of the crowd, showing a gross lack of sportsmanship (not to mention basic manners!).

Shortly after, the Samoan and Australian teams took to the field, with the Australian team being unconditionally booed - seemingly after being encouraged by the previous announcement. Don't get me wrong, I am glad the 'under dog' Samoans were being cheered by those without allegiances, and it undoubtedly lifted them as they ran to a two try lead. But for the crowd to boo when the Australians scored is unacceptable. Equally, when Julian Huxley was attempting a conversion to tie the game and force extra time, the booing was deafening (and is plainly evident in the television replays I viewed the day after).

Lastly, an British spectator (going by accent) some 4 rows in front of me, started a chant "If you all hate Aussies, clap your hands" - when again the majority of the crowd around me started clapping in time.

Being a self confessed 'sport-aholic', I have been lucky enough to attend many large sporting events and their respective venues (Old Trafford, Murrayfield, Millennium Stadium, Stadium Australia, Yankee Stadium, Wimbledon, Twickenham, Olympique Marseille Stadium, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Lords), representing a wide-spread cross section of cultures.

I can safely say that each of these experiences I have left happy (sometimes less than others!), no matter what the result, seeing that sport can re-unite many different aspects of humanity - blind to religion, race and other outside issues. Discussion with complete strangers of the opposition's supporters has invariably taken place afterwards, but always in good spirit and with respect.

With the press now proposing England as an appropriate Olympic host, I have to strongly disagree. If a crowd was to behave like that, it would be a further embarrassment to the human race.

Yours faithfully,

Ben Kooyman, London.