Yes, I will be there for the entire duration, either in the capacity of an official (I've applied for umpiring and line judging) or a spectator.
Ah k. Do you know where you'll be staying? I'm thinking of going also. I applied to be an official also but most likely will end up as a spectator .
I have no idea where I'll be staying. I guess we should really start planning otherwise the whole of Melbourne will be booked out! But I'm just waiting for the first scenario to play out here: 1) If I were an umpire, accomodation will be arranged (but not sure about lines people) 2) Otherwise, I could just crash at a friends (they don't know it yet! )... 3) If all else fails, just backpack my way around Melbourne... Here's an idea though...Is anyone keen enough to make accommodation arrangements for a whole group of BadmintonForum enthusiasts from all over the world, who will be travelling to Oz just for the Commonwealth Games???
Good idea!! Maz, now you can do that. Whatever backpacking ideas you have count me in . Cause by hook or crook I'll come uni or not
didn't great britain 'hand back' hong kong to china (sometime in the late 90s) you can see that hong kong is not included in the 'countries' list at: http://www.commonwealthgames.com/
You're correct. I checked the Commonwealth Secretariat homepage, Hong Kong is not in the member list. Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997... I thought Commonwealth members are states that are ruled by the great britain before... Maybe they don't accept a "region" as their member..??? (Hong Kong is a region not a country)
Melb 2006 Maz and all got my tix to the badminton for next year. i have pleny of friends in Melb who i will be staying with so accomm no probs for me. still, would love to meet up with any BFers for a baddiefest in Melb. jim
No, Hong Kong was not 'handed back' to China. It was never Britain's in the first place to hand back. Britain simply occupied it under what the Chinese called 'Unequal Treaties' (when China was very weak and was kicked around by everyone) which China never recognized. It is more correct and appropriate in diplomatic speak to say that Hong Kong reverted back to China.
Yes, same as Macau. But that poses an intresting question, if it reverted back to China, then why does it compete as a nation, ie Thomas, Uber and Sudirman Cups & Olympics?
because they are registered as a "nation" under that Just see England, Ireland, Wales competes as different "nations" in football, rugby etc. Because they are registered differently under FIFA. But in Olympics, they are Great Britain. And their queen is still Queen Elizabeth II and PM is tony blair
May I know how and where to apply to volunteer for the games?? I'm interested to apply too!! Oh..the badminton event is going to be held in the Melbourne Exhibition Center right?
Hmmmm....I believe sports specific applications have closed (info available from http://www.badminton.org.au), but you may have a chance to register as a general volunteer on http://volunteers.melbourne2006.com.au/ Otherwise, try to go through your state court officials representative and ask them if there are any further opportunities for line judging...I think the VIC line judge coordinator is Sandra Goodwin (or try Susan Taylor)...Info available at the 'Committees' link on http://www.badmintonvic.com.au
Yes I understand that, England Northern Ireland, Wales and Soctalnd are part of the United Kingdom or Great Britian. But doesn't explain why Hong Kong can compete as a Nation in Olympics!
That's because it's a special administrative region of the PRC, in short, it's a region in China. It'll be like sending the Queensland or California to the Olympics, would it?
This is my opinion, before Hong Kong return to China, it is already accepted in IOC. Even until now, they still have their own administration. Their law, constitution etc are all different from the Beijing Government. Well, this doesn't really explain why it is accepted in IOC to compete as another "nation", but you will know that actually Hong Kong still very much continues their administration as how they operate during British Era until 1997. IMO, since Hong Kong is already a "nation" under IOC before 1997, maybe IOC din change their status. Although politically Hong Kong is not a country, but under IOC (a sports body), Hong Kong is an "Olympic Nation", same goes to Chinese Taipei. Anyway, anyone from Hong Kong can give an opinion about this?
Well, this could explains it. Before Hong Kong return to China, it actually already had their olympic committee. In fact, it was created and recognized (in 1951), even earlier than China's (1979). Although most National Olympics Committees (NOC) are from nations, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) also recognises independent territories, commonwealths, protectorates and geographical areas. For example, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei (not a nation in UN), although politically they are not recognized as a nation, but they have their own NOC under IOC. Macau is not sending their atheletes (am I right?), because she doesn't have an NOC. This is Hong Kong's NOC: Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong China. And China's: Chinese Olympic Committee Great Britain: The British Olympic Association Thus, the IOC accepts atheletes from their 202 NOCs around the world, instead of 200+ countries around the world. This actually applies to other games as well. In East-Asian Games, their 'governning' body is EAGA (East Asian Games Association), Macau China is a member of EAGA, therefore Macau sends their players to the East Asian Games. Guam is an associate member of EAGA, therefore they also sends players to the East Asian Games, but not OC, cos there is no NOC in Guam. Timur Leste (located somewhere east to Indonesia) can send their players to the Olympics, because they have an NOC, but they don't send players to the ASEAN Games (Association of South East Asian Nations), because Timur Leste is not a member of ASEAN.
Timur Leste took part in the South East Asia (SEA) Games, although it is not a member of ASEAN, it was invited as it is part of south east asia.
