ASK Steve Moneghetti what the Commonwealth Games means to him. The Games are where he got the springboard into a successful running career. For others, the Games are a chance to say goodbye.
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For Moneghetti, the Games continue to serve up an incredible string of serendipitous moments.
Moneghetti was the last athlete picked for the 1986 Games in Edinburgh. The past three Games, including those looming on the Gold Coast, Moneghetti has been the first picked on the team as Australia’s chef de mission.
For years ago, Moneghetti leapt from a press conference and ran across Glasgow for the marathon finish.
Moneghetti wanted to be there – and was, running the last kilometre or so outside the course – when Queenslander Michael Shelley crossed the line to win Commonwealth Games marathon gold. It had been 20 years since Moneghetti had achieved the feat in Victoria, Canada, in what had been Australia’s last gold in the endurance event.
READ MORE: Moneghetti’s sprint to finish in Glasgow
“Who would’ve thought all those years ago some quiet kid in Ballarat, who had just started to run, would win Commonwealth games gold, then be there 20 years later when the next fellow did,” Moneghetti said.
“I’m often questioned the relevance of the Commonwealth Games but it is where someone like me got a break, in a huge multi-sport festival.”
Moneghetti moved into the athlete’s village on the Gold Coast this week, and could hardly wait to see what magic the Games would serve up this stay.
Now is the time when Moneghetti moves into operational mode. He has been engaged in chef de mission duties for almost two years, far longer than before, leading into the home Games. This has allowed Moneghetti to be far greater across what is going on.
There is no job description. Moneghetti adapts.
Chef de mission is less diplomatic than his role as Commonwealth Games village mayor for the 2006 Melbourne Games. Chef de mission is more about the athletes – thinking on his feet, dealing with issues, helping to make Australia’s best feel most at ease.
“One of the pieces of advice I offer for a home Games is what I tell all athletes: the Commonwealth Games village is where everyone outside wants to be. They’ve got the golden ticket and should enjoy it,” Moneghetti said.
“I need to make sure the village is a bit of a sanctuary for athletes where they are protected from media and public pressures...People don’t always realise how much pressure athletes are under, some of their own expectations. Our job is to remove as many layers as we can so competition is normalised for there.”
Moneghetti is revisiting all host venues before the Games get into full swing.
Until now, Moneghetti had only seen the venues in community mode, without their Commonwealth Games overlay.
Seeing them cold is when Moneghetti can really start to picture what they might be like with athletes in competition, imagining what stories will be unfold before stadiums are returned to community use.
Chef de mission demands an unbiased approach across the Australian team but there is plenty Moneghetti can recommend Aussie fans watch.
Ballarat should look out for seasoned javelin thrower Kathryn Mitchell, our hometown hero who has twice captured an Australian record on her way to staking her spot in a fourth Commonwealth Games.
Moneghetti also suggests watching cycling’s new world track spring king Matthew Glaetzer and our team sports, like Rugby Sevens, field hockey and basketball.
“We’re always strong in team sports. Australia has such a strong team sport culture,” Moneghetti said. “There are lots of sports we follow as Australians though. Hopefully everyone can appreciate having the home games.”
Moneghetti is devoted to his job 24 hours, seven days a week now he is on the Gold Coast and until the Games’ end.
But there is one exception – marathon morning. The is he just Steve the fan, enjoying a fun moment with friends.
In all build-up to get Games ready, it was the arrival of the Queen’s Baton Relay in Ballarat, honouring the city’s unsung heroes, that humbled Moneghetti. The Games are more than just sport, they offer inspiration.
- Re-live the Queen’s Baton Relay in Ballarat here
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