Philip BarkerBack in the eighties, the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Michael Kelly, launched an advertising campaign with the title, "Glasgow's Miles Better". This week it has been a case of "Glasgow SMILES Better" fronted up by mascot Clyde, for almost everyone in this city has embraced these 20th Commonwealth Games.

From the moment the cheers erupted as the Queen arrived at the Opening Ceremony, you knew this had the potential to be very special indeed.

It all began with double English gold in the triathlon on the opening day. Jodie Stimpson was the first to stand on the rostrum in the entire Games and in the men's event, Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee and brother Jonny both emulated their Olympic success, this time it was with gold and silver

There was a Scottish sister act by Louise and Kim Renicks who each won a Judo title on the same day. It recalled the exploits of Australia brother and sister John and Ilsa Konrads, who also struck gold within a couple of hours in Cardiff in 1958.

Sisters Kim (left) and Louise Renicks of Scotland each won judo gold at Glasgow 2014 on the same day ©Getty ImagesSisters Kim (left) and Louise Renicks of Scotland each won judo gold at Glasgow 2014 on the same day ©Getty Images



Glasgow had its own Australian swimming sibling sensation. David and Emma McKeon walked away with four gold medals between them and when you consider their dad, Ron, was a multiple Games champion, the family medal cabinet will be positively bulging when they touch down back home over the next two days.

The Aussie swim mascot Boxing Kangaroo or "BK" for short, has been ever present at the newly enlarged Tollcross International Pool. His designated handler is known as "The Zookeeper". On one night he even met Wills and Kate, or to give them their proper title when in Scotland, The Earl and Countess of Strathearn.

By their own high standards Australia had a disappointing time of it at London 2012, but as gold medallist Ben Treffers observed, "You don't look back, the past is something you cannot change. We have moved on from 2012, it is two different teams."

Australia's marathoners also continued a glorious trail which stretched back to 1958 when Dave Power won in Cardiff through Rob the Deek de Castella and Steve Moneghetti, now Chef de Mission of the entire Australian team.

The Commonwealth Games could teach the Olympics something about the choice of presenters. Wherever possible they ask a distinguished former champion to do the honours. Thus we saw Jim Alder back in the stadium to present the men's marathon medals.

The medals had not yet been decided when the Queen headed for the hockey centre but in these first Games to really embrace social media, a delightful photo of two Australian athletes appeared to show the Queen "photo bombing". The cue for every grandmother in the country to try and do the same.

The Queen photobombed a selfie by Team Australia hockey player Jayde Taylor ©TwitterThe Queen photobombed a selfie by Team Australia hockey player Jayde Taylor ©Twitter



Prince Harry always enjoys a day at the rugby and his visit to the surprise hit of the first week was no exception. Rugby sevens, which makes its Olympic debut in 2016 really packed in the crowds at Ibrox. If Rio organisers were watching, they would have been greatly encouraged. On the first evening, Barbados trailed 59-0 to tournament favourites New Zealand. They broke from their own half and the move did not even end in a try but the roar would have been impressive had it been for Scotland winning the World Cup itself. Even that moment was as nothing compared with the crowd's reaction to one of the other underdogs. They took the Ugandans to their hearts as they endured heavy defeats at the hands of England and Australia. When they eventually came from behind to beat Sri Lanka, the crowd showed their delight and the feeling was mutual.

New Zealand, world champions at 15-a-side, had never been beaten in Commonwealth Games sevens, but South Africa edged their noses in front in the 45th and final match to complete two fantastic days of competition.

Athletics has returned to Hampden Park this summer for the first time since the heyday of Eric Liddell back in the twenties. As in London, the place was packed out even for the heats. It was a case of the usual suspects in the 5,000m, but the biggest ovation was for Rosefelo Siosi of the Solomon Islands, who finished almost four minutes behind the winner Caleb Ndiku of Kenya. Siosi did enjoy the satisfaction of setting a new national record. The victory ceremony was made all the more memorable by the appearance of Filbert Bayi, winner of an unforgettable 1500m exactly 40 years ago to present the medals.

We did get to hear the Jamaican anthem in the stadium in the first week but it wasn't for you know who. Usain Bolt's legendary good humour must have been sorely stretched by some less than legendary questioning at his big set piece press conference.

In his absence, it was countryman Kemar Bailey-Cole who overcame a poor start to win gold in the 100m, almost in the fashion of the big man himself. Bailey-Cole was at pains to point out that the pair weren't exactly close friends. He also managed to upset his hosts by saying the food in London was "way better".

In Usain Bolt's absence, it was countryman Kemar Bailey-Cole who won 100m gold in Hampden Park ©Getty ImagesIn Usain Bolt's absence, it was countryman Kemar Bailey-Cole who won 100m gold in Hampden Park ©Getty Images



Bolt incidentally renewed his acquaintance in the village with one of the few men to actually beat him, albeit with rather more than a false start. Prince Harry!

When O'Dayne Richards won the men's shot, the stadium tannoy played One Love by Bob Marley to greet him. A sense of humour and timing is never far from the surface at these Games. The Karaoke of Choice is the Proclaimers hit 500 miles.

There's one tune which is truly spine tingling every time you hear it. When Flower of Scotland was played in Hampden Park for Libby Clegg's victory in the T11/T12 EAD 100m, not everyone in the crowd made it through the one minute and 32 seconds without shedding a tear.

Philip Barker has worked as a television journalist for 25 years. He began his career with Trans World Sport, then as a reporter for Skysports News and the ITV breakfast programme. A regular Olympic pundit on BBC Radio, Sky News and Talksport, he is associate editor of the Journal of Olympic History, has lectured at the National Olympic Academy and contributed extensively to Team GB publications. His latest book, Lord's First: 200 Years of Making History at Lord's Cricket Ground, has recently been published. To follow him on Twitter click here.