Gold Coast’s iconic meter maids and Commonwealth Games organisers are in a war of words over alleged $750 fines.

Meter maids, in their gold bikinis and tiaras, have strolled the streets of the Gold Coast for decades, posing for photos and selling a range of merchandise.

But the owner of Meter Maids has claimed her staff have been warned not to go near tourist hotspots like Surfers Paradise during the Games or risk being hit with a $750 fine.

“We are not even allowed to walk as human beings, as girls in bikinis,” Meter Maids owner Roberta Aitchson told News Corp.

“It is GOLDOC [who have enforced this]. It is Peter Beattie [Gold Coast Commonwealth Games chairman]. Powerhouse, we call him.

“Mr Beattie needs to come down and work out what the Gold Coast is all about and what has made the Gold Coast what it is today – which is Meter Maids.

“We have the ocean, we have the sand and the blue sky and we have Meter Maids. He needs to get off his high horse and come down to our earth and realise what is important to this town.

“It is a power trip by Peter Beattie.”

Aitchson, fed up with the alleged restrictions, said her staff would now walk through Surfers Paradise.

But is it all just a publicity stunt?

When contacted by The New Daily, a GOLDOC spokesperson said: “We have given no such advice [to the Meter Maids] and have nothing further to add.”

Where there’s a Bolt, there’s a crowd …

Usain Bolt might be retired but his presence can still fill a room.

News of the Jamaican’s arrival in the main press centre had reporters flocking to quiz the nine-time Olympic gold medallist about everything from Gold Coast nightlife, his professional ambitions and the weather in Glasgow.

Bolt happily answered questions from The New Daily during the press conference but seemed most happy talking about the English football team he supports and hopes to play for, Manchester United.

Bolt watched Thursday night’s athletics session with actor Chris Hemsworth. Photo: Getty

And as for his compatriot Yohan Blake?

Bolt, who joked with Blake before the Games that if he did not win the 100m sprint he should not return to Jamaica, said he would tease his close friend about his third-placed finish.

“I haven’t texted him,” he said.

“I’m waiting until I go to the village and actually see him because I’m definitely going to make fun of him and stuff like that … that’s definitely going to be a good conversation!”

The post

Seven Network commentator Dave Culbert has been one of the stars of the Games, seamlessly transitioning between events in his inimitable style.

The former long jumper – a Commonwealth Games silver medallist and Olympian – revealed a brilliant touch from South Africa’s Luvo Manyonga after he won gold in Wednesday’s long jump.

According to Culbert, two young aspiring jumpers from Melbourne’s Doncaster Athletics Club got in touch with Manyonga before the Games to pledge their support.

Manyonga made a promise of his own, saying he would find the Victorians and give them his bib. And he did. Bravo, Luvo!

How good is this. Young Victorian jumpers Lachie and Matt Parrott with long jump gold medallist @lvjumper7. They sent Luvo a message via social saying they’d be there to cheer him on. Luvo said – bring a sign and I’ll give you my bib. So they did and he did. 👍 #7CommGames pic.twitter.com/hDhU3XutFW

— David Culbert (@Culbert_Report) April 12, 2018

Will Repacholi’s beard go?

Aussie shooter Daniel Repacholi hit the headlines on Wednesday after his hilarious honesty that followed his shooting gold.

Catch up on some of Repacholi’s best lines here.

His long ginger beard might be about to go, though, with the 35-year-old saying on Thursday that for $10,000 to charity, he would get rid of it.

“I haven’t had it off in four years … [but] I’ll take it off for a charity if we raise enough money,” he said.

“Around about 10 grand and it’ll come off.”

The photo

England’s Ross Haslam competes in the men’s 3m springboard diving final. Photo: Getty

Friday’s action

The Rugby Sevens get under way with our Olympic champion women’s team taking on Wales (5.37pm AEST) and England (8.17pm).

There’s also a men’s hockey semi-final between Australia and England at 9.45pm, while in women’s basketball Australia meet New Zealand at 9pm.

In the athletics, Sally Pearson will miss the women’s 100m hurdles final (10.09pm) but Michelle Jenneke and Brianna Beahan will fly the flag and another local in Nina Kennedy is in with a big chance in the women’s pole vault decider (7.25pm).

There are other medal events in boxing, diving, lawn bowls, rhythmic gymnastics, shooting, table tennis and wrestling.