Next year the eyes of the world will be on Melbourne, when it hosts the 18th Commonwealth Games.
In celebration ABC radio presenter and sports journalist Ross Solly has written an irreverent guide to what is often referred to as the Friendly Games. Solly looks at the sports that have graced the programme of the Commonwealth Games - sports like tenpin bowling, squash and sevens rugby - and provides a hilarious snapshot of the countries of the Commonwealth and the previous host cities. He even devotes a chapter to Stupid Mascots we've had and Stupid Mascots we'd like to have.
He also includes some unforgettable Commonwealth Games moments such as the story of sure-fire gold medal favourite in the 110 metre hurdles who busted his daks at the first jump and spent the rest of the race holding up his trousers. He finished third.
