Bagel) Osesers, a So GAMES COUNTDOWN Games will bring out the best in people By DEANNA BINDER Commonwealth Games Society t’s 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium of Shoreline Community School. Krn Macaulay warms up for one of her five rhythmic-gymnastics practices of the week. She looks and moves like a dancer contorting her body into complicated shapes and positions. At 14 years old, her goal is to become a national RYTHMIC GYMNAST Erin Macaulay, 14, runs through her baton routine assisted by coach Barbara Richardson Photo by CHUCK RUSSELL team member. She’s already good enough to be a spare for the national team in the group routine. Why does she practise five days a week with the Victoria Rhythmic Sport of Gymnastics Club? “] like the challenge,” Macaulay said. Rhythmic gymnasts work with four apparatus — a ball, a hoop, long colored ribbon, a piece of rope — as they perform routines combining dance and gymnas- tics. The best rhythmic gymnasts in the Common- wealth will be in Victoria for the 1994 Commonwealth Games. Coach Barbara Richardson, a former national com- petitor said, “Having a Commonwealth Games in Victoria is an inspiration for all my girls. Any Games brings so much to a community. It’s a long-term investment in the future for these kids. They need better facilities — a place where they can integrate with other athletes.” “In this sport the athletes learn a way of meeting goals, they experience the joy of performing,” she said. “They learn how to deal with ‘I can only go this far.’” As her two daughters practise under Richardson’s watchful eye, Brenda Price looks on. “They've been involved for years,” Price said. “It's their recreation — their creative outlet. It’s also a safe and healthy way for them to spend their time. Bar- bara knows everybody has a different goal, and she respects that.” When Price talks about the Commonwealth Games she focuses on her family. “It’s in our own city; we can participate. Our kids could be volunteers — they could be performing or helping out. I think it’s a good thing for Victoria.” Victoria runner Debbie Bowker, a world class mid- dle distance runner, knows what it’s like to enter a _cheering stadium during the Commonwealth Games opening ceremonies. She has been there— Edmonton: in’78, Brisbane in’82, Edinburgh in’86 and Auckland in 90), “My running was something I stumbled on in Wah school, something I did well,” Bowker said. “I enjoyed the challenge of running fast, and I liked the idea of having something in myself to focus on.” Bowker describes competition as an opportunity to bring out the best in yourself — with other people to help you. “Best performances become a co-operative effort, even if you’re in an individual sport.” As a teacher at St. Margaret’s School, Bowker em- phasizes that all her students have talents. She chal- lenges them to be the best they can be in whatever they do. “T expect them to come out and put in their best effort. That's what our society wants, people who go out to do the best they can.” “Have a dream,” Bowker tells her students. “Don’t be afraid to set high goals. Everyone can be success- ful. The only 1 way you won't be successful is if you are afraid to try.” An international games experience brings people together from many different cultures. “It is some- thing for everyone to watch those who have dedicated their lives to achieve excellence,” Bowker explained. — “The performances of these athletes bring inspiration to the whole community.” “It seems to bring the whole community ee Bowker said. For Ron Jacks, it is the new facilities which are the appeal of the 1994 Commonwealth Games. Jacks coaches both the Victoria Olympians (an amateur swimming club) and Juan De Fuca Coho Swim Club. “Our biggest problem is getting facilities,” he said. “There are lots of people who would like to be in a club and not compete at such a high level, but we can’t get pool space. We should be getting more people to swim: at different levels. It’s not a question of dollars and cents; it’s the fact that there isn’t space. There’s only one international standard 50-metre pool on the whole island. We never get that pool to ourselves. MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER Debbie Bowker (1), photographed winning the 1986 Harmy Jerome 1,900 metres in Vancouver, has participated in the last four Commonwealih Games “We're getting a set of superb facilities at a minimal cost,” said Jacks. “We'd never be able to get those facilities without a games involvement.” Rhythmic gymnast Erin Macaulay may or may not be a competitor in the 94 Commonwealth Games in Victoria. But she will be a participant and, like most Victorians, shell benefit from the experiences and facilities which come with hosting the Games. 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