Our national identity drifts further and further from the blaze of the British Union Jack every year, so what's the appeal of the Commonwealth Games?
In the 92 years since the first Commonwealth Games - or, as they were then, the Empire Games - many countries have seized their own sovereignty, become republics, or moved away from the colonial power which these games were created to celebrate.
But they're still going, we're still going there, and with every medal our spirits lift - even if the sporting heavyweights of the world weren't invited to our party.
Today on The Detail Emile Donovan talks to commentating and sports writing legend Phil Gifford, and Otago Daily Times sports editor Hayden Meikle, about the 'friendly games' and their modern-day relevance.
Gifford says there are people who aren't crazy about them - Australian columnist and former rugby great (and Republican) Peter FitzSimons calls them the Colonial Games and acerbic British comedian John Oliver questions how you can take them seriously when the best sprinters are from Wales.
Fair enough. China, Russia and the United States aren't there.
"Despite that, I still love the Commonwealth Games," says Gifford.
"Of course they're weird. It's kind of like saying, 'Let's have a big sporting event where only countries whose name ends in the letter A are allowed to compete; it's as random as that.
"But ... they give a chance to a lot of very, very good athletes, from lawn bowls to track and field, to compete against other people that are not mugs. I suppose 'homely' is the word I would use and that's the reason I enjoyed them and still do."
Gifford's first games as a journalist was Edinburgh in 1970 and he talks about his memories over the years, the highlights and about some of the behind the scenes goings-on to boost New Zealand's bid for the Christchurch Games in 1974.
He says compared to the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics is "so bloated, and so grubby, and so much money's involved in actually getting them to your city".
"The Olympics have been obscene ever since they took them to Berlin in 1936 and Hitler was there giving Nazi salutes when Germans won events," he says. "The Olympics has been corrupt at the highest level forever - that's just the harsh reality. There's something a little bit cringy about them because of the fact that they are the plaything of incredible mega-powers."
Meikle says the games are "strange, weird, but kind of fun ... and can't sport just be like that occasionally?"
He also compares the Commonwealth Games to the Olympic Games and its frenzied bid for relevance and the almighty dollar, including "bizarre" events such as breakdancing.
"I think the choice of sports (at the Commonwealth Games) is broadly, rather grand. And of course, we win at lots of them, so that helps."
Find out how to listen and subscribe to The Detail here.
You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.
