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Associated Press

Gold Coast Commonwealth Games chief Peter Beattie admitted organisers botched Sunday’s closing ceremony, accepting criticism that long-winded speeches had fans rushing for the exits while athletes were largely excluded from the broadcast.
Organising committee chairman Beattie apologised on Monday in the face of a barrage of criticism, saying “we got it wrong”.
Closing ceremonies of Olympic and Commonwealth Games are usually much more relaxed than formal openings, focusing on the athletes and celebrating their achievements.
But the organisers’ decision to have athletes enter the Carrara Stadium before the ceremony began meant television viewers saw little of the people the closing was meant to celebrate.

Commonwealth Games organisers admit they botched the closing ceremony, by leaving the athletes' arrival out of the official broadcast. @PaulKadak #GC2018 #7News pic.twitter.com/JPlq1EAjoq
— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) April 16, 2018

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In a series of Twitter posts Monday, Beattie said the ceremony had not worked out as organisers planned.
“We wanted athletes to be part of and enjoy the Closing Ceremony,” he said.
“However, having them come into the stadium in the pre-show meant the TV audience were not able to see the athletes enter the stadium, alongside flag bearers. We got that wrong.

This decision to bring the athletes into the stadium before the broadcast was operationally driven given there were restrictions on being able to keep the athletes waiting in comfort. We were driven by the welfare of athletes #gc2018
— Peter Beattie (@SmartState1) April 15, 2018

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The speeches were too many and too long. I was part of that and I acknowledge it. Again, we got that wrong.#gc2018
— Peter Beattie (@SmartState1) April 15, 2018

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“The speeches were too many and too long. I was part of that and I acknowledge it. Again, we got that wrong.”
In a later television interview, Beattie said “did we stuff it up? Yes. Should (athletes) have been a part of the actual ceremony that was broadcast? Of course. We got it wrong. I can’t be more honest about it than that.
“I am not interested in blaming anyone else. We stuffed it up and I apologise to the viewers and the athletes.”

Australians took to social media in large numbers to criticise the ceremony. In an unusual move, the television rights-holders Channel Seven joined in the criticism, saying the ceremony “had not lived up to expectations”.
Hosts Johanna Griggs and Basil Zempilas told viewers the absence of athletes from Channel Seven’s coverage was beyond its control.

“People are thinking that Channel Seven has chosen not to show pictures of athletes or not to show the flag-bearer, Kurt Fearnley, or other flagbearers,” Griggs said.
“We can only show the pictures that are provided by the actual host broadcasters. They made a decision not to have athletes enter the stadium.
“They made the decision not to show the flagbearers. I’m furious.”
Additional reporting The Guardian

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Commonwealth Games boss apologises for dull closing ceremony after fans rush for the exits

Television viewers were unable to see the athletes entering the Gold Coast stadium with each nation’s flag bearer

epa06670806 A general view of the stadium during the closing ceremony of the XXI Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia,, 15 April 2018. EPA-EFE/DAN PELED AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

The Commonwealth Games flag is carried inside the stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast on April 15, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Anthony WALLACE

The flags of participating nations are marched into Carrara Stadium for the closing ceremony. Photo: AFP

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Television viewers were unable to see the athletes entering the Gold Coast stadium with each nation’s flag bearer
