AND so the come-down after 11 days of euphoria.
There will be much talk of legacies, of making sports available and affordable, of East End regeneration and of future use of venues that showed themselves to be more versatile than would have been evident in their original purpose-built plans.
Many will be involved in these discussions, many more will have views, but will have little influence in making things happen. There are, however, things we all can do. Glasgow has shown herself to the world in all her magnificence: a city of smiling friendly people, a city of clean, litter-free streets, a city of volunteers. How soon that will all be forgotten as we return to daily humdrum life - or will it? We can start right now to get the message out about taking pride in our surroundings, about personal responsibility for maintaining a level of cleanliness that in general is absent from our country of takeaways and throwaways. It was therefore heartening to read of the publication of Towards a Litter Free Scotland ("We have our dirty little secret and it is time we came clean about it", Agenda, The Herald, August 4). It is vital that the problem of litter is addressed at all levels right now. Glasgow looked clean and smart for the Games it must remain that way for all the follow-on visitors we hope will come.
I attended a couple of sporting events during the Games, but I made several further visits just to enjoy the atmosphere. It was completely addictive. I walked more miles in the city than I ever have and everywhere I went was bright and shining and welcoming.
All the add-ons, like the Flower Festival in the cathedral, the freshly painted gates in the Necropolis, the newly-finished Barrowland Park, the Whisky Riverboat band playing a cheery set in Merchant Square, the East End Social Mix-Tape at Glasgow Green, the Clyde trail (11 so far, will they remain until I collect my 25?), the pop-up bandstands - these all contributed to the amazing feel-good factor. We read about disgruntled policemen working long shifts, but what we saw was cheery officers chatting with the visitors. The volunteers were clearly having a ball - hopefully a rise in volunteering will be another knock-on effect.
It was all wonderful. It made me enormously proud of the city. Let's look now to how this momentous time in Glasgow's history can be used to build her future.
Gaie Brown,
18 Drums Terrace,
Greenock.
CONGRATULATIONS on your outstanding coverage of the Commonwealth Games, showing that the printed media remains capable of providing a unique slant on major events.
Your journalists certainly rose to the occasion and Steven Camley added his typical subtle brand of humour to the occasion. However, Colin Mearns stole the show with his magnificent front-page photographs.
A mention, also, to Richard Gordon and his team at BBC Scotland radio sport who showed that, given the chance, Scottish-based broadcasters have the talent to provide outstanding coverage to the nation.
A special mention goes to Peter Wright at the lawn bowls. He was a revelation in a vastly different role away from rugby.
My own outstanding memory as an athletics fan was the wall of sound at Hampden as Lynsey Sharp surged up the final straight on her way to the 800 metres silver medal. I have attended many major sporting events and I have never witnessed anything quite like it.
Also, I enjoyed seeing the world's most famous athlete, Usain Bolt, lingering in the stadium, working the crowd and generally having a ball.
Finally,well done to Lord Provost Sadie Docherty, who carried out her duties at the closing ceremony with a poignancy and dignity that was a lesson to all. She set the right tone for a wonderful celebration of all that is best in sport.
Gordon Evans,
5 York Drive,
Rutherglen.
THE Scottish cringe is alive and well. Two of your correspondents (Letters, August 2) complain about the BBC Games coverage.
I think the coverage has been very balanced and what is very noteworthy is the obvious friendship and respect between all the UK athletes.
And yes, it is the BBC and we must remember there are 10 times more English than Scots.
Willie Towers,
Victoria Road,
Alford.
THE Kylie concert on BBC1 on Sunday night was very enjoyable, albeit a surprise, as I expected to see the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony.
It was, however, good to see that there were a lot of Commonwealth athletes and Clydesiders in the audience. I presume that they went to the concert as a better option to the closing ceremony. Whilst I have recorded my admiration of the opening ceremony, I am glad that I was given this unexpected chance to watch a Kylie concert.
Will the closing ceremony be shown at a later date ?
Stewart MacPherson,
22 Garrell Avenue,
Kilsyth.
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