Fans help buzz, propel 'straya to top of medal table

Athletics - Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games - Women's Pole Vault - Final - Carrara Stadium - Gold Coast, Australia - April 13, 2018. Australian fans show support to Liz Parnov. REUTERS/Paul Childs

GOLD COAST, Australia (Reuters) - As a popular holiday destination, the Gold Coast is a pretty vibrant place for most of the time, but throw a big sporting event in a country obsessed with athletic pursuits into the mix and the buzz around the place is almost tangible.

Regardless of criticism over the level of competition in some events and no shows from plenty of big sporting names, Australians have flocked in their droves to Commonwealth Games venues during the last nine days.