XBOX: UNOFFICIAL 18th EVENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES
The Xbox PlayMore Zone has rapidly become the unofficial
18th event of the Commonwealth Games. Athletes are coming off the track, out of
the pool, and leaving the pitch to challenge each other on the world's most
powerful console. Head to head challenges have taken place with both athletes
and spectators fighting it out to win an Xbox.
Sprinter Darren Campbell's winning streak continued
yesterday when he beat other England team-mates including 4x 100 metres relay
reserve Daniel Plummer, former 200 metres champion Jon Regis and triple jump
silver medalist Philips Idowu in a lively game of Dead or Alive 3.
The spirit of friendship at the Commonwealth Games has
obviously gone to Campbell's head, for as soon as he won his Xbox he generously
gave it away to a young spectator. Campbell, who won a bronze in the 200 metres
on Monday night said, "Xbox is a great console and I love the fluid gaming and
control system. Halo is a fantastic game, and when I played it, I immediately
wanted to buy an Xbox".
Daniel Plummer said "The first time I saw a game on Xbox
I was totally overwhelmed". Other top athletes including Dwain Chambers have
commiserated their performances on the track by emerging as Xbox winners.
Healthy competition is also rife between teams with New Zealand swimmers Moss
Burmester and Cameron Gibson going head to head at Project Gotham Racing and
Australian Olympic Champion Cathy Freeman winding down on the consoles.
It's not just the athletes with Xbox fever. Greater
Manchester Police and Fire Service took time off to compete in the SSX Tricky
snowboard challenge. The Police won a closely fought tie in the final seconds.
In total nearly 20,000 people have visited the Xbox
PlayMore Zone at the Sport City complex since it opened on July 25.
