When the world comes together for a multi-sport event, sport may take centre stage, but it is often the human stories unfolding in the background that leave the deepest impression. In a previous story, we spoke about pin trading and the unique hobbies that thrive at such events. As a city transforms into a melting pot of cultures, these little moments remind us why sport remains one of humanity’s greatest unifiers.
At a time when wars, conflicts and hatred increasingly dominate the headlines, stories like that of Frank Hardee restore a little faith in people and leave behind a lasting sense of warmth.
It was on Wednesday, at the entrance to Scotstoun Stadium, that a gentleman in a navy blue jumper, with an England World Cup red shirt peeking through, approached me with a smile.
“Where are you from?” he asked.
“Ah, I already have an Indian selfie,” he said after I replied. It was with someone from the bowls team, he mentioned later.
Perhaps one of the most unique challenges I came across at these Games was one this Londoner was on the verge of completing.
“I am collecting selfies from each of the 74 countries participating in the Commonwealth Games, be it with an athlete, an official or a coach,” he explained.
Why?
“Well, it was a challenge given to me by a friend, and I decided to complete it,” he said, adding that he had been in Glasgow since the start of the Games and would stay until the very end.
“From the opening ceremony to the closing ceremony.”
By profession, Harvey is a secondary school politics and economics teacher. Away from work, he is a passionate follower of live sporting events and has been attending them since childhood.
“I’ve covered six Olympics, three Commonwealth Games, nine Eurovision Song Contests, and several England Test cricket series, including some in India,” he said.
When asked where in India, the reply came instantly.
“Delhi, Mumbai and Rajasthan,” he said.
“I would love to come to Calcutta (Kolkata),” he added.
The Oxford United fan, as he introduced himself, laughed about his club’s recent fortunes.
“Embarrassingly, we had a poor season, getting relegated and having a tough time financially, but hopefully we can get back to the Championship this season.”
Football remains an integral part of any conversation when you meet someone from England, but for Harvey, the standout memory of these Games had come in the pool.
“Watching him win Jersey’s first gold medal was special,” he said, referring to Filip Nowacki’s gold medal in swimming.
By the time this conversation took place, he had already collected selfies from 68 countries.
“Gabon, Brunei, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia and Norfolk Island,” were the ones yet to be covered.
The moment we finished chatting, he added Gabon to that list after spotting a group of Gabonese officials walking through. By the time this article is published, he may well have crossed off a few more.
Listening to him, I could immediately relate.
As a serious numismatist, with coins and banknotes from 96 countries in my collection, I could sense the urgency he must have been feeling. The countries remaining on his list are any collector’s dream because these small island nations are rarely visited and their memorabilia are equally difficult to come by.
Earlier in the day, I had approached two officials from the Solomon Islands in the hope of getting one of their currency coins or banknotes. Unfortunately, they did not have any with them at the time. Later, however, I managed to add a beautiful Montserrat two-dollar banknote featuring Sir Vivian Richards, a priceless addition to my collection.
Without drifting away from the original story, this personal note is important because it perfectly captures the emotions every collector experiences at an event like this.
As we were parting ways and I mentioned my collection, Harvey seemed to recognise that same emotion. He hurriedly reached into his pocket and pulled out a five pence coin.
Ordinarily, England is not a country whose currency would excite most collectors because it is so readily available. But who would have thought that this five pence coin would have such a story to tell?
“I found this coin on the ground this morning, and there’s a famous saying that goes: ‘See five pennies, pick them up, all that day you’ll have good luck. Give it to a needy friend, and that luck would never end,’” he said as he handed it to me.
I stood there, mesmerised, reflecting on how moments like these are what truly make the Games special.
Perhaps it really was my lucky day.
It’s just that I still don’t know whether I should pass it on, as the rhyme suggests, or frame it with those words and add it to my album to preserve the memory for years to come.
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