Glasgow Commonwealth Games diary: warmth, kindness and a broken bus

A reporter for Sportstar recounts the behind-the-scenes stories of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, highlighting the unsung heroes: the volunteers. Their unfailing warmth, patience, and smiles made a lasting impression, earning them the loudest applause at the closing ceremony. The writer also notes the striking resemblance of Glasgow to a quiet Indian city, with an abundance of nail salons sparking curiosity.

However, the Games had shortcomings, notably the lack of dedicated shuttle buses for journalists. After Seema Kaliramna won bronze in the women's discus throw, TV journalists were denied boarding a bus reserved for athletes, despite there being no athletes on board. The staff refused, citing job security. A Pakistani businessman, Waseem, later drove the reporter home after a late-night bus drop, offering hospitality and a conversation about Bollywood legends.

Athlete Tejaswin Shankar, after withdrawing from the high jump due to a knee injury, won a historic bronze in the decathlon, becoming India's first Commonwealth Games medallist in the event. He described himself as an adrenaline junkie, thriving on chasing uncertain outcomes in tough conditions. The piece also notes the stirring haka performed by New Zealand's David Liti after winning gold in weightlifting.