Readers' views: Public divided over Games' performance

Herald readers are almost evenly split in their views on New Zealand's performance in the Commonwealth Games. Some think the results prove we should follow Australia's hard-nosed approach to winning but others believe criticism of the team's 31 medals - down from 45 at the last Games in Manchester - has been over the top. Below is a selection from yesterday's emails:

People are being unduly harsh on our athletes at the Games and criticising the number of fourth placings. Few would go there with the idea of coming fourth, everyone dreams of being a winner. Many of these same people have never participated in sport in their lives, but just watch it from the comfort of their armchair. Our son Kerry was (would you believe it) fourth in the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, in the 5000m and while nobody remembers fourth place, it was a great race filled with action. Okay, he didn't win a medal, which would have been his dream, but he gave it his best shot and we were so proud of him.
- Val Rodger.

The issue isn't how hard our athletes tried, but how New Zealand's culture has changed. About 15 years ago, "Fairplay" became a big thing in New Zealand schools. "It's not about winning, it's about having fun." Then we stopped keeping score when kids played sport because it was putting too much focus on "competing". Now the kids of that generation are the ones competing on the world stage and we've lost our competitive edge. And we're surprised? It's disappointing we didn't get more medals, but it's not because our athletes didn't try their hardest. It's because we, as a nation, told them: "Don't play to win, play to participate." No one can say we didn't participate.
- Steve Meinders.

I am proud of every single participant at the Games. Imagine how they feel coming home empty-handed when they went there with the intention of winning. I'm proud to be a New Zealander and hope every other Kiwi feels the same. Life is not all about winning - it's about contributing, caring, living life with passion and fully. Being the best you can be is far more rewarding than having to win to feel significant.
- Kerry Sorensen-Tyrer.

Which other countries "predict" how many medals they are going to win? It was obvious some competitors should not have taken part, especially those "assured" of winning a gold who did not win anything!
- Alec Field.

As an expat Kiwi living in Brisbane for the past 26 years I am ashamed to call myself a Kiwi, You did not achieve what you thought you would achieve in Melbourne. So what? You try your best, it wasn't anywhere good enough to match the opposition, accept it, don't grizzle and try and blame others for what you are not capable of. Pity there were no medals for whingeing - without any doubt you would have got the trifecta.
- Jack McDonald.

The results of the Commonwealth Games must be beyond the wildest dreams of the handwringers in the Clark Administration. As any 6-year-old can tell you, the most important thing in any competition is for everyone to finish equal, say fourth, so there is no loss by others of the all-important self-esteem. That this enlightened, no-winners policy is at last bearing fruit has become clear over the last 10 days, and about time too.
- Bob Mahy.

I thought that NZ did rather well in the Games - such a small country with hardly any financial backing for the athletes involved compared to other countries. When I speak to other people in the street, they too think New Zealanders did well. Beatrice Faumuina coming 4th most certainly is not a "failure" in my book.
- Antonina Georgetti.

The Silver Ferns exemplify the determination and hunger to win that should be the byword of all who take part in international sport. I fully agree with John Walker's sentiments regarding playing to win. However, for all those taking part who didn't win , you did your best but it was not good enough. If this is now your chosen career and you are funded, take no prisoners when you front up to compete. Winners are grinners, to quote our Australian friends.
- Max Wagstaff.

Every athlete chosen to represent New Zealand in any form of competition goes out to give their very best. Some succeed, others do not. Two groups who have escaped very lightly from criticism are the two hockey teams - the men second at Manchester coming fifth this time and the girls failing yet again in an international arena.

- Alan R. Isaac.

These Games were a huge disaster for the Kiwis, even embarrassing. Being a Kiwi living in Melbourne I found it so hard to watch my fellow countrymen/women come up short time after time. NZ should follow the Aussies in their attitude - they support their athletes tenfold. Australians are not shy to show their patriotism or scared to yell it out from every terrace or street corner. It's time we stopped being so damn PC in New Zealand and get it right. It is about winning and winning at all costs. Our cousins across this side of the ditch have certainly shown us how to do that.
- D. J. Hosking.

New Zealand's success in globally minor sports, such as rugby, arrogantly makes us kid ourselves we are some kind of sporting giants with a right to be up there battling the likes of the US, China, Russia, Germany, Britain, France and Australia. We're a small island at the bottom of the world with four million people, more similar to Ireland than the USA or Australia. Given our size, population and (most importantly) funding, there is no shame in ninth on the medals table. We need to avoid hyping our athletes up and then getting disappointed when they don't blow away the competition.
- Andrew Stevenson.

The message has been clear for a decade now. Whatever you do, please don't beat the opposition 'cos you might "hurt their feelings". The PC brigade should be fed to the lions. Not now. Last year.
- Paul Tioke.