Australians Win Fan-Free Road Races At Comm Games

Tight security featuring gun-toting police on top of steel barricades kept most of the spectators away during a Commonwealth Games women's cycling road race won by Rochelle Gilmore of Australia on Sunday.
It was a perfect day for the race — moderate temperatures, sunny skies and a scenic course through some of the most picturesque parts of downtown New Delhi, including the famous India Gate and Presidential Palace. Even a dog and a monkey sighted on the course didn't bother the competitors.

Gilmore won in a sprint finish in 2 hours, 49 minutes and 30 seconds. Elizabeth Armistead of England was second and another Australian, Chloe Hosking, took bronze.

Another Australian, Allan Davis, won the men's road race of 168 kilometers (103 miles) later Sunday in a sprint finish over Hayden Roulston of New Zealand in a time of 3:40.48. David Millar of Scotland took bronze. Pre-race favorite and Tour de France sprinter Mark Cavendish finished seventh.

But the morning race, staged over eight laps of a 13.7-kilometer (8.45-mile) course, was almost devoid of fans. Television footage showed mostly soldiers and other security officials standing behind the fenced and barrier-laden course.

The lack of crowds didn't bother Gilmore.

"Perhaps it was for the best in terms of security," she said. "We knew a lot of spectators would be watching us on TV."

Gilmore's victory comes after Australian cyclists won 12 of 14 gold medals on the track.

It was a Kiplagat kind of evening at the nearly full Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where 800-meter runner Boaz Kiplagat Lalang led the way to win gold in 1 minute, 46.60 seconds. Richard Kiplagat was next in 1:46.95 and Abraham Kiplagat took bronze in 1:47.37.

David Greene of Wales surprised defending champion Louis van Zyl in the men's 400 hurdles, beating the South African to the finish line in 48.52 seconds. Van Zyl was second in 48.63 and Rhys Williams of Wales took bronze in 49.19.

In the women's 400 hurdles, Muizat Ajoke Odumosu of Nigeria won in 55.28, followed by Eilidh Child of Scotland in 55.62 and Nickiesha Wilson of Jamaica in 56.06.

Nicole Forrester of Canada won the women's high jump, clearing 1.91 meters. The men's discus gold medal went to Benn Harradine of Australia, who threw 65.45 meters.

Diving began its four-day run and Canada took both golds Sunday.

Jennifer Abel and Emilie Heymans won the women's 3-meter synchro. Australians took the other medals — Briony Cole and Sharleen Stratton the silver and Jaele Patrick and Olivia Wright the bronze.

Alexandre Despatie defended his title in the 1-meter springboard by taking gold later Sunday. One of the biggest names in the diving competition — Olympic 10-meter platform champion Matthew Mitcham of Australia — won the silver.

It was Despatie's record seventh gold Commonwealth Games gold for Canada. His first came in 1998 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when he was 13.

"It feels like a long time ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday," said Despatie. "Hopefully I have a bit more to give. At 25 years of age it's weird being called a veteran."

Meanwhile, organizing committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said a volunteer on the organizing committee had been reported to police over the alleged sale of counterfeit tickets. Local media also reported that two people were arrested for scalping games tickets and that some games credentials were also sold illegally.

Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell said 850 of the planned 1,500 doping tests at the games had been conducted, and that 600 tests that have been returned were all negative.

There was a positive tone Sunday from Bhubaneswar Kalita, India's chef de mission. Despite a host of problems at the Commonwealth Games — late construction of venues, transportation and security concerns and clogged roads — Kalita said he remained optimistic that India would one day hold an Olympics.

"Yes, our good performance and hosting games like this will definitely step forward (the bid) to host the Olympics in India," Kalita said.

India looks towards shooters, lifters for more medals

India, who broke open the gold medal chest with a haul of five yellow metals on Tuesday, once again would look up to their star-packed shooting squad and lifters to boost their medals tally in the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday.

The Games hosts looked well on way to achieve their target in the multi-sport spectacle as the second-best country on day two on Tuesday when shooters and grapplers combined to give them five gold medals as well as two silver medals for a two-day tally of 5 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze.

Australia, as projected before the Games, are leading the bunch with a 8-9-4 medal haul going into the third day's competitions. They ended the day with 9-9-5.

After grabbing the pairs gold, top marksmen Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang would compete against each other for the individual title in the 10m air rifle.

Similar would be the predicament faced by women pistol shooters Rahi Sarnobat and Anisa Sayyed who nailed the gold in the 25m pairs event as they will line up as opponents at the Dr Karni Singh range.

Commonwealth Games: Mentor's girls win again

BOURNEMOUTH netballer Geva Mentor helped England make it two out of two at the Commonwealth Games, but insists they will need to up their game to hang on to their 100 per cent record.

The 26-year-old was heavily involved as England got their campaign off to a comfortable start with an 81-20 win over Barbados on the opening day of the Games in India.

Mentor ensured they repeated the trick against South Africa, although it proved to be a tougher test as England were made to work hard to come out on top 54-36.

Next up for Mentor and co is New Zealand tomorrow – strong pre-Games favourites and |reigning champions having |seen off Australia four years ago in Melbourne.

And with that in mind, Mentor – a veteran of two Commonwealth Games – insists they will have to move up a notch to maintain their unbeaten start against the Silver Ferns.

“The game against South Africa was just one of those games that we just had to grind out to get the result we wanted,” said Mentor.

“At times it looked like we weren’t going to do that but we got the result at the end of the day and that is what we needed so we have got to be happy.

“The result was a big boost for us in the end, this is what we have been training for and we will be going all out to beat New Zealand.”

Commonwealth Games: Weaver won't accept anything but gold

Ferndown  fighter Iain Weaver believes he has already won the psychological battle at the Commonwealth Games – but insists he will finish the job off in the ring and leave Delhi clutching gold.

 The 20-year-old star has been in impressive form in his first full year with the Great Britain squad, winning silver at the June European Championships and the Commonwealth Feds, and gold in the Prime Ministry tournament in Turkey.

And while the surroundings of Delhi might be alien to some, Weaver is back in India having won gold in his last two outings there – at the March Commonwealth Feds and the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games.

But the former Ferndown Upper School pupil insists he is not done in India just yet and believes the gold medal is his to lose.

Weaver, who kicks off his Games bantamweight campaign with a bout against Vusie Simelane of Swaziland tomorrow, said: “This season has been brilliant I’m on top of my game and it will be great if I can finish it all off with gold at the Commonwealths.

“In my weight the field is quite strong but most of them I have fought and beat before so that will give me the edge when we step in the ring.

“I’ve been to India a couple of times before and have done well but this time is much better because we’re in an athlete’s village and have our own cooks.

“That bodes well for more success because when I’m well looked after outside the ring I can focus better on my game inside the ring.

“Anything less than gold will be a disappointment but I fully expect to medal. I won’t accept anything but that gold right now.”

Even though the Games will be a big notch on the belt of the Golden Ring boxer, Weaver has already set his sights on following in the footsteps of James DeGale by winning gold at London 2012.

“The London Olympics is not far off now but I’m just trying to stay at the top of my game until then,” he added.

“It’ll be superb to fight in front of the home fans and qualification starts next year so hopefully I can head into 2011 as Commonwealth champion and really give myself a boost.

“You see a lot of people like DeGale and Amir Khan make their names from the Olympics and I want to do the same – and my journey starts with the Commonwealth Games.”

• Lloyds TSB Local Heroes is an initiative in partnership with SportsAid providing support and funding to over 270 of Britain’s most talented developing |athletes on their journey to London 2012 and beyond.

Scots team excused from Delhi Commonwealth Games ceremony

SCOTLAND's athletes have been told they do not have to attend the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games today because of fears they will be penned in holding areas for hours at a time.

As Prince Charles flew into Delhi yesterday for the extravagant curtain-call for the event, local dancers complained they had been held for long periods without food and water during rehearsals. Some collapsed in the heat.

But although Scottish team bosses appear confident that competitors will not face undue delays, last night they were still awaiting answers about precise timings for the event before delivering a definitive briefing to their athletes.

Although athletes competing on day one of events tomorrow are already banned from attending the ceremony, there are also concerns about those involved in events over the next few days.

"There were some questions raised this morning in terms of the timings: when the athletes leave, get to the ceremony, then get back again," Team Scotland chef de mission Jon Doig said.

"We have a policy that athletes competing on day one (Monday) do not go to the ceremony. It's quite a physically and emotionally demanding occasion at any Games. We will go back to our team leaders with the final timings, and athletes will make their individual decisions whether to go or not."

Delhi Government keeps its date with Games

The Public Works Department of the Delhi Government on Saturday completed all its 24 Commonwealth Games-related project with the opening of all the flyovers on the U.P. Link Road that would connect the Games Village with Noida, where some of the cycling events would be held.

PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan said the Department has completed projects worth Rs.4,000 crore for the Games. Most of these projects are of permanent nature and would benefit the public even after the Games.

The Minister said the U.P. Link Road project was a major work that had been allocated to PWD with a short deadline. “The main hurdle in this project was the refusal of Uttar Pradesh Government to hand over some land to Delhi. Still we did it and as against the original estimated cost Rs.334 cores, the project has been completed in less than Rs.300 crore,'' he said.

Mr. Chauhan said as part of the project the work on widening of the bridge at Chilla Regulator at the Noida entry point was also undertaken. “The completion of the U.P. Link Road project has reduced the travel time in East Delhi significantly. People would now be able to cover the distance from Kashmere Gate to Noida in just about 20 minutes because the road is completely signal-free. This when the road passes through some hitherto most crowded junctions like ITO Chungi, Raja Ram Kohli Marg flyover, Geeta Colony bridge and Ring Road by-pass, which have all been made signal-free now.''

The Minister said PWD has worked hard to construct various important projects for the Games. “The Barapullah elevated road is a miracle of engineering. The four-kilometre-long road has been completed within 20 months. Normally a project of this size takes around three years,'' he said.

The elevated road would next be extended up to INA in South Delhi and Mayur Vihar in East Delhi, he added.

Mr. Chauhan said the Ring Road by-pass project has been another major achievement of PWD as this Rs.600-crore project has reduced the density of traffic on this important road significantly. Besides, PWD has also completed improvement of Road No. 56, construction of Ghazipur and Apsara Border grade separators and flyover at Shyamlal College in North-East Delhi.

He said the Department has also installed street lights on 450 km of roads and signages on 403 km of road. It has also constructed three stadiums which have been completed and handed over to the Organising Committee. The Chhatrasal and Ludlow Castle stadiums were renovated while Thyagaraj Stadium is a new construction.

As for the streetscaping work, Mr Chauhan said it has been done on 50 km of road where a lot of greenery has been added.

Delhi-based designers prepare dresses for Games ceremonies

Delhi-based designers Ashima and Leena Singh have designed 4,000 dresses for performing artistes who would feature during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here this Sunday and on October 14.

The duo had to make a number of presentations before Wizcraft International Entertainment recommended their collection to the Games Organising Committee. The collection will be presented in three segments during the ceremonies.

It was a pleasant surprise for them to get the prestigious assignment for the cultural extravaganza. “But it was also a herculean challenge as preparing 4,000 outfits needed plenty of planning, work and skill,” says Leena Singh.

They were given an interesting idea and finally managed to execute it to the satisfaction of the Wizcraft International Entertainment team.

“A lot of hard work went into the collections as we, assisted by a team of 400 karigars, worked day and night. We took up the challenge of preparing the dresses as we wanted to make our country proud,” she said.

It took them exactly eight months to come out with the collection. They have also designed shoes to go with the outfits.  The collection is an amalgamation of Indian and modern styles and will showcase the country's rich cultural diversity.

Commonwealth Express returns home

After halting at 45 stations across the country to spread awareness about the Commonwealth Games and inspire the youth, the exhibition train “Commonwealth Express” has returned to the Capital.

Indian Railways are the lead partner for the Commonwealth Games and to mark the event, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee had flagged off the exhibition train from Safdarjung station here on June 24.

The train will be stationed at Pragati Maidan railway station from October 3 to 14 for the public to view the exhibition. The exhibition timings are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Olympic Committee chief in New Delhi for CWG

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge and wife Anne arrived here on Saturday as a special invitee for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2010.

Chief of staff Christophe de Kepper and around 20 other leading IOC officials, are accompanying Rogge.

The IOC chief is scheduled to leave on Monday after attending the opening ceremony of Commonwealth Games.

During his stay, Rogge will meet the delegates of some of the Commonwealth Games countries. He is also expected to visit the Games venues and village.

Rogge remains hopeful that the Games will be a success.

Commonwealth Games: Queen’s Baton rally organized in Delhi

The Queen's Baton Relay (QBR) of the XIXth Commonwealth Games was carried out in a rally here today.

Suresh Kalmadi, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, held the baton and walked down Rajpath.

Kalmadi said that it was a special moment for the country as it prepares for one of the most extravagant sport events.

"I am feeling very proud about the baton. It's come all the way from London till here, covering a distance of 190,000 kilometers without a blemish. People have organised it very well. I must be thankful to them," said Kalmadi.

The band of the Indian Armed Forces welcomed the Queen's Baton by playing patriotic tunes at the venue.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, a gold medallist at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, said that he expects the country's athletes to bring a number of medals home.

"Now when everything is under control, there are positive reports about the Games. No doubt, the Games would be good, and our athletes will win a lot of medals," said Rathore.

On Saturday, it will visit Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib and St Columba's School.

The Queen's Baton will reach Games Village at 10.55 am where it will be on display for 45 minutes. It will then be taken on a trip to monuments like Akshardham Temple, Rajghat, Red Fort and Jama Masjid.

The journey would conclude at the CWG main venue Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where the event opens on Sunday.

The 1.9 lakh-km-long QBR's journey across 71 countries will culminate on October 3 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium before the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

The Queen's Baton Relay is a torch race symbolising the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of nations. It carries a message from the head of the Commonwealth of Nations, currently Queen Elizabeth II of the UK.

The baton has the ability to capture images and sound as it travels throughout the nations of the Commonwealth. With Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, it can be tracked through exact location.

Continuous power supply during CWG: Sheila Dikshit

Delhi  will not face any power cuts during the mega event Commonwealth Games 2010,  as measures have been taken to provide continuous power supply, said Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit.

Inaugurating a power sub-station at Mundka, Sheila Dikshit said, "Delhi will not face any power cuts. We are committed to providing uninterrupted electricity supply during the Games."

"In order to generate more electricity within the national capital, a joint venture company with NTPC and Haryana government has been formed," stated Dikshit.

The company will generate 1500mw power at its plant at Jhajjar in Haryana.

"Delhi would get 750mw out of the 1,500mw," she said, adding the sub station at Mundka has been set up to bring power to Delhi.

Established by the Delhi Transco Limited at a cost of 150crore, the 400kv sub station has been set up on a sprawling 100 acres plot and will provide power supply to west and north-west Delhi including to Delhi Metro.

"I have also asked the power department to install solar panels. So we ensure that we use clean source of energy," said Dikshit.

Delhi Metro increases manpower for Games

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation(DMRC) is also gearing up for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and has increased manpower at stations to ensure smooth movement of commuters from October 3-14.

''Additional house keeping staff has been already deputed at all the important stations and additional queue managers will be put up at all stations leading to the Games' venues,'' a DMRC spokesperson said.

Besides, about 250 scouts and guides and 153 Bangalore Metro trainees will be deployed at various stations for crowd control and management. The DMRC spokesperson added, ''Volunteers of the Metro Citizens' Forum have also been instructed to be more vigilant and devote their time at the stations whenever possible.'' A Metro official of the grade of Assistant Station Manager will also be posted at the control room of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee for better liaison and coordination.

''Branding work related to the Commonwealth Games has been done at various stations, like Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Vishvavidyalaya, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and Jangpura,'' he added.

Further, additional ticket counters with pre-vended tokens have been set up at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium and Jangpura Metro stations.

Cops hasten setting up of card readers

To expedite the process of installing accreditation card readers at all the entry gates to the Commonwealth Games venues, a team of Delhi  Police officers visited the OC office inside the Village late on Tuesday night to collect data of all the people who have been given accreditation cards. The data is being given to ECIL so that it could be fed into card readers that will monitor entry and exit of people.

The move came a day after TOI reported that card readers have not been installed at entry and exit points of venues, as granting access without them may pose a security threat.

Union home minister P Chidambaram during his visit to the police headquarters on Tuesday also raised the issue and asked ECIL and Delhi Police to fix the problem.

ECIL officials said feeding the data into the card readers within three days was an uphill task. "In case the project is not completed, we may install the card readers only at certain strategic locations. Other places will have CCTV cameras and entry will be allowed through manual verification," said an ECIL officer.

Semenya out of Commonwealth Games, Ticket Sales Poor, by Alfons Juck, Note by Larry Eder

The Commonwealth Games  has a long and storied past. The matches in athletics alone have been amazing. The 2010 version, which opens this weekend, is having both media  and security problems. Neither of those have helped ticket sales, which are at a paltry 200,000 out of an estimated 1.7 million tickets available.Security concerns have kept many athletes away. While UK athletics and many other teams have kept a stiff upper lip, elite athletes have several concerns: security issues, the absolute exhaustion many face at the end of a ten month season, and how to prepare for 2011-2012.India has huge potential in the global sporting world. They have had some outstanding athletes in track & field, and I believe we will see many more to come. They apparently understand cricket there as well, which, I assume, like American baseball, is a wonderful excuse to watch a sporting event while consuming adult beverages in a warm climate.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games are not getting a break now. Caster Semenya, the World Champion from South Africa, has pulled out of the Games. Citing a continuing back injury, her team SA announced her withdrawal earlier today.

EME NEWS (SEP 29, 2010)

Semenya out, Mokoena still possible
JOHANNESBURG (RSA): South African media are confirming the bad news. 800 m world champion Caster Semenya will not compete in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. The South African team management said they would not risk the health of Semenya, who has apparently been suffering with the ailment for some time now, and had taken the decision in the interests of the athlete. Semenya had reportedly been struggling with a lower-back problem, but a scan done showed the injury was more serious than first thought. Final decision of former World indoor champion in long jump Khotso Mokoena is expected in few days time.

Tamgho is the male Rising Star
LAUSANNE (SUI): World indoor record holder in triple jump with 17.90 French Teddy Tamgho is the 2010 winner of the men's European Athletics Rising Star of the Year Award presented by MONDO. He is succeeding his countryman sprinter Christoph Lemaitre who won this trophy a year ago. The Frenchman became the third longest jumper in history after breaking his national record with a 17.98 effort at the New York Diamond League meeting on 12 June. Only world record holder Jonathan Edwards (18.29) of Great Britain and Kenny Harrison (18.09) of the USA have jumped farther than the 21-year-old. Although he could only finish a frustrating third at the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona Tamgho has been the triple jump sensation of the year. Writes European Athletics. He is also Samsung Diamond Race winner. Second place for Spanish long jumper and multi-talented Eusebio Caceres ahead of Poland´s shot put Youth Olympic Games winner Krzysztof Brzozowski.

Mbango must wait
MONTE CARLO (MON): IAAF approved four top athletes nationality switches. US Hurdler Tiffany Ofili can represent Great Britain from September 5 this year. Former track runner Michael Aish is now marathon runner and is switching from New Zealand to USA from July 22 in 2011. Olympic triple jump winner 2004 and 2008 Francoise Mbango will be able to represent France (formerly Cameroon) only from April 23 in 2013. That means no Daegu or London for France. Poland´s walker Sylwia Korzeniowska (sister of famous Robert Korzeniowski) is in similar position and able to represent France from June 1, 2013.

Icelandic talent with Swedish coach
REYKJAVIK (ISL): Respected Swedish coach Agne Bergvall (coaches also Carolina Kluft) signed the Icelandic talent Helga Margrét Thorsteinsdottir to be her coach. Helga was the fisrt Icelandic youngster in history to get a medal at the WJC in Canada this summer when she got a bronze in the heptathlon. Agne will be her main coach but to begin with she will continue to live in Iceland as she is still in school for one more year. During that time her first coach Gudmundur Hólmar Jónsson will carry on the daily training. Vesteinn Hafsteinsson will be her manager (in his group for example discus olympic winner Gerd Kanter) and will as well coordinate the work with Agne and her club at home. Thorsteinsdottir scored this year 5878 points in heptathlon what is also national senior record.

Heltne gets two years
MONTE CARLO (MON): Two new interesting doping cases from IAAF. Romanian shot putter Anca Heltne was positive at National Indoor Championships on February 27 and is banned for two years until March 31, 2012. She will lost bronze medal from European Cup Winter Throwing in France (promotion for Russian Anna Omarova from fourth to third) and also 7th place from World Indoor Championships in Doha. Talented US 400 m runner Michael Berry was initially banned for 3 months for cannabis during US Junior Championships on June 26. This was later reduced to time served upon the successfull completion of USADA educational program. That allowed him still to compete at World Junior Championships in Moncton in the winning US 4x400 m team. Later on August 1 he clocked his PB 46.13 while winning the US Junior Olympics in Sacramento.


OTHER NEWS

SOFIA (BUL): Pity in Bulgaria. Seven meters are missing in the new multisports hall in Sofia to be able to have a track. National Department of Physical Education and Sports is still considering options, it is not a financial question, Bulgarian media are writing. The situation in Sofia in regard to indoor training and competitions is not good. The classic Festivalna Hall is under reconstruction which is not finished yet and is missing financial backing.

LEXINGTON (USA): World´s fastest 100 m runner in 2010 Tyson Gay writes on his twitter that another top US sprinter Travis Padgett is coming to Florida to train with his group. Padgett has a 9.89 best from 2008 and clocked in 2010 as fastest 10.10. He has two sub 10 legal times in his record.

LONDON (GBR):  David Higgins has resigned as the chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to take up the same role at Network Rail, writes insidethegames. Higgins, former chief executive of construction firm Lend Lease and English Partnerships, will succeed Iain Coucher. The ODA's director of finance Dennis Hone will replace Higgins, who will stay on in his post until February 1, 2011. "It has been a privilege to lead the ODA over the last five years and I am leaving with the Olympic Park on time, within budget and with the finish line in sight," said Higgins, who earns £394,999 per year.

NEW DELHI (IND):  Manish Kumar, head of press operations for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, has been sacked following a series of rows regarding the distribution of media accreditation passes. Insidethegames informs. Kumar, who is also a deputy director general of the Organising Committee, was handpicked from the private sector to work for the organising committee by Chairman Suresh Kalmadi. He has been replaced as head of press operations by Manjushree Roy who has been transferred around the Organising Committee five times in the past year.

CHICAGO (USA): American marathon hope Ryan Hall has withdrawn from the Chicago Marathon on October 10th. Hall was aiming at breaking the American record during his Chicago run but doesn't feel ready after a disappointing run in September at the Philadelphia Half Marathon  and some poor workouts in the last couple of weeks.

MOSCOW (RUS): In an interview with Reuters Sergey Bubka confirmed he is sure Yelena Isinbayeva will return to top form rapidly during the indoor season and will again dominate her event. Isinbayeva took an indefinite break earlier this year, a decision Bubka backed. "She will be back at her best, I don't see any problems or any obstacles. She competed for so many years, she is very professional, very committed." Bubka was quoted. Isinbayeva will return to competition in February 2011.

NEW DELHI (IND): The Indian Tourism Minister Kumari Selja has blamed the negative media coverage around the Commonwealth Games for the disastrous ticket sales. According to Insidethegames only 200,000 tickets of the 1.7 million have been sold so far, only achieving 10% of the revenue target from ticket sales. Hockey, one of India's most popular sports, has received 30% of all sales.

LONDON (GBR): Lord Sebastian Coe has dismissed claims that the London 2012 organizing committee has decided to finish the Olympic marathon in front of Buckingham palace instead of in the main stadium. The Olympic stadium is located in Stratford and it is claimed the organizing committee is embarrassed to show the area and its people. Traditionally the Olympic Marathon has its finish in the Olympic Stadium writes insidethegames.

MONTE CARLO (MON): IAAF received the news of the death of Khalid Abdullah Al Meer, a member of the IAAF Competition Commission and a former Vice President of Qatar Association of Athletics Federation (QAAF). Khalid Abdullah Al Meer, 55, of Doha, Qatar, died on Monday, 27 September. He leaves behind his beloved wife and 4 children. He will be laid to rest at the Abu Hamour burial ground, Doha. Throughout his life, Al Meer was actively involved in sports activities in general and Athletics in particular and held various positions during his 20 year career with the Qatar Athletic Federation. He retired from the federation in the year 2008, after serving as Vice President since 1996. He was Competition Director of the Doha IAAF Grand Prix from 1997 to 2008.

FRANKFURT (GER): One of top German sprinters Marion Wagner decided to continue in her career. The 32 years old Wagner was after Barcelona considering to end it. The main issue was her health situation which is now improved. For indoors she wants to help her team in relay and in the 200 m.

CHULA VISTA (USA): Retired legendary US pole vaulter Stacy Dragila two months ago became a mother, to daughter Allyx Josephine Waltz (father Ian Waltz is one of US top discus throwers).  "I have waited so long to experience that and it's a dream come true," Dragila said as per teamusa website. These days, she also spends a lot of time giving back to the sport. Last fall, Dragila and Waltz started the Altius Track Crew. She teaches kids everything they need to know about pole vaulting. And with the help of UCS Spirit, she is able to provide the kids with poles that fit them that their schools might not have. The first camp consisted of 40 high school kids, her goal is to grow it to 75 - 100 kids.

DALLAS (USA):  Michael Johnson Performance announced it has been named the Official Training Partner of the Dallas Cowboys. Through this unique partnership, Dallas Cowboys players and training staff will leverage the proprietary training programs and technology offered by Michael Johnson Performance (MJP). Informs Michael Johnson website.

MOSCOW (RUS): Russian running family is celebrating. Yelena Sidorchenkova (world class steeple runner) gave birth to a boy (3.4 kg, 51 cm). Father is multiple national champion Aleksandr Orlov.

SAN JOSE (USA): Olympic marathon medalist Meb Keflezighi will defend Rock 'n' Roll San Jose half marathon title at the fifth staging of the race on Sunday. Keflezighi is one of the top names in a field of more than 13,000 runners over a course which is recognised as the fastest in California and where he won in one hour ane exactly one minute a year ago.


RESULTS

PARIS (FRA, Sep 26): French in-shape Abdellatif Meftah won the 33rd edition of Paris-Versailles road race at 16.3 km after 48:40. Kenyan Miriam Wangari won the women category in 56:06. Informs RRW.

CAPE TOWN (RSA, Sep 26): South African marathon record holder Gert Thys (38) competed in his first marathon since his doping suspension ended (December 2008). He won the Cape Town Marathon in 2:22:12. His national mark from Tokyo 1999 is 2:06:33.

TATABANYA (HUN, Sep 25-26): Young Hungarian Bence Pasztor is confiming his throwing talent. The 15 years old athlete won three events at National U16 Championships. Shot put (4kg) with 18.53 what is national best, discus (1 kg) 56.56 and hammer (4 kg) 80.27 m.

KAARIKU (EST, Sep 25): Interesting experiment by Esthonian decathlete Anders Raja. He competed in heptathlon in women events with women heights and implements. He scored 7342 points after 12.7 at 100 m hurdles, 195 in high jump, 17.42 in shot put, 23.6 at 200 m followed by 679 in long jump, 53.48 with javelin and 2:08.4 in the 800 m. World record of JJK is 7291 points, Raja´s decathlon best is 8119 from Berlin World Championships.


CORRECTION

LUKOVIT (BUL): Clarification to Bulgarian Athletics Federation elections. 76 out of 102 clubs were present. And all voted unanimously for Dobromir Karama

Girls lured to Delhi Games for work being sold to brothels

UNDER-aged girls are being lured to Delhi for work at the Commonwealth Games, only to be sold into prostitution.

The Indian Government has issued an alert, after receiving numerous reports that girls from the country's poor tribal states are being exploited by sex-traffickers.

The advisory by India's Home Ministry, obtained by The Australian, says: "The victims are mostly those who are promised work in Delhi ahead of the Commonwealth Games by fraudulent placement agencies but instead are likely to be trafficked.

"Minor girls are the main target. Strict action is urgently required against those involved in such trafficking, both in the source, transit and destination areas."

Hundreds of young girls from poverty-stricken rural states are believed to have been successfully trafficked into the city's burgeoning number of brothels, massage parlours and escort agencies.

Kailash Pathak, from rural West Bengal, fears his 13-year-old daughter, Khushbu, is among them.

The Australian accompanied Mr Pathak this week as he searched seedy Delhi's red-light-district for any sign of her.

He said he had tracked down a man he claims stole his daughter and reported him to police. "I rang him and said, 'Have you taken my girl?' And he said, 'What if I have? What can you do about it?'"

The man, Pappu Bagel, confessed to The Australian from a police cell that he led Khushbu away from her home but denied it had been against her will.

Delhi's illegal but thriving prostitution racket has been gearing up for several months for the Commonwealth Games.

Several establishments have reportedly been running basic English classes for their workers and renovating premises for foreign visitors.

Inside one brothel, The Australian saw a large flat-screen television fitted to the wall.

"It's so we can watch the Commonwealth Games," a middle-aged female worker explained as two men worked on renovations in one of the adjacent tiled and toilet-sized rooms in which women ply their trade.

The woman said she had no under-aged workers in the brothel and did not tolerate traffickers peddling young girls.

Outside another nearby brothel, where a 16-year-old girl trafficked from Nepal was rescued by police just two days earlier, The Australian counted more than 100 men in the space of just 10 minutes descending the dingy, narrow stairs in packs of 20 or more.

Delhi police have raided a number of brothels in the city's red-light district in recent weeks.

A police superintendent from one inner-city district said about 80 young girls had been seized from brothels and traffickers in the past six months.

Nishi Kant, from Delhi-based anti-trafficking network Shakhti Vahini, said his organisation had rescued 54 under-aged girls from the red-light district and the nearby New Delhi railway station in the past six weeks.

"The traffickers tell the girls and their families that they can get them good jobs in Delhi for the Commonwealth Games, but once they land here they're trafficked to various suburbs of Delhi and forced into prostitution," he said.

"The Commonwealth Games has become a disaster in the context of child-trafficking because we're seeing a clear rise in the number of cases."

Gill, Kalmadi meet Prez, invites her to be chief guest

Union Sports Minister M S Gill and Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Tuesday met President Pratibha Patil and invited her to be the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

"The President has accepted the invitation", a Rashtrapati Bhavan press release said Tuesday evening.

Under a compromise reportedly reached between New Delhi and London, Prince Charles will declare the games open while President Patil will say 'let the Games begin'.

Gill and Kalmadi met Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and invited her to be the chief guest on Sunday when the sporting extravaganza begins.

Later while introducing the Games mascot Shera to the President, Kalmadi said "the stadiums are all complete. They are world class. Games are on track."

Kalmadi said that despite some criticism about the Games Village, he had spoken to many athletes and they have expressed their satisfaction about it.

CWG saga takes new twist, Hooper spews venom

ALTHOUGH NEGATIVE counting has begun for the grand event, the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010, bizarre events are still unfolding, adding new twist and drama to the event. In the latest twist, one of the senior most officials linked with the hosting of the games, Mike Hooper, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the games fired salvo on the Organising Committee, the Government of India, the government of Delhi for the widespread mess up and lacunae in the run of to the games.

Following the footprints of Suresh Kalmadi, the head of the Organising Committee, Mike Hooper is also not willing to admit mistake for the fiasco on various fronts. Hooper has categorically blamed other stake holders for all the mess up engulfing the preparation of the Commonwealth Games. In an interview given to a New Zealand based television channel, Hooper squarely blamed the government of the host city, New Delhi, the Government of India, Organising Committee and other stake holders for missing deadlines time and again, shoddy pace of work and infrastructure.

In a one to one interview Hooper told the channel, “We are in the hands and the mercy of, effectively, the government of India, the Delhi government, the agencies responsible for delivery of the venues. They consistently failed to meet deadlines. Now, we were very active, very strong in pushing for this to be done. The actual venues were not handed over effectively and I say handed over from the point of view of getting venue- completion certificates and occupancy certificates. ”

Hooper’s outburst didn’t end here; he took Indian population to task during the interview televised on Sunday (September 26). Hooper held the massive population responsible for traffic chaos on the roads; and asked for a 24x7 exclusive lane for Commonwealth Games.

Whatever venom Hooper spewed though has not gone down well with many politicians and bureaucrats, it is the harsh reality, we must accept. The stake holders have collectively failed in their endeavours to deliver. Somewhere buck has to stop.
Now enough has been written and criticised, its time for all stake holders involved in the hosting of the game to work as a cohesive unit and facilitate in organising majestic Commonwealth Games. Enough venom and mudslinging has taken place, country’s image is at stake, lets support the Commonwealth Games and play our role anyhow after all it is our event.

India Pushes Games Efforts as Teams Arrive

Athletes who have arrived here for the Commonwealth Games began training for the start of play in one week despite continuing unease over housing and security arrangements, while the event's top official said he hopes India "learned a great lesson" from its lack of preparation.

Mike Fennell, president of the U.K.-based Commonwealth Games Federation that supervises arrangements made by host nations, said India has ramped up its efforts considerably in recent days to clean up and prepare Games facilities following complaints from foreign sports officials over hygiene and safety, especially at the Games Village apartments.

"This should have been done before, yes," he said in a Saturday news conference. "But now we're concentrating on getting it right." He said progress has been made but "it's not over yet."

Mr. Fennell said all 71 countries and territories in the British Commonwealth are sending teams to India. Some countries had been threatening to withdraw in recent days if the condition of Games facilities didn't improve but received assurances from Indian and federation officials that problems were being addressed urgently.

A contingent of 59 athletes and officials from Scotland arrived Sunday and checked into the Games Village, along with 46 players and support staff from Wales, spokeswomen for those teams said.

Stephen Soi, manager of the Kenyan delegation, which also arrived Sunday, said the team found dust and construction debris in its rooms. "There has been considerable improvement after we complained the rooms for our players need cleaning," he said, adding that the modern apartments are otherwise "very good."

South Africa's envoy for the Games, Harris Mbulelo Mejeke, told reporters a snake was found in one of the rooms set aside for the country's athletes, who haven't arrived yet. "If snakes are found, we can't ask our teams to stay there," he said, according to Press Trust of India. "That was a threat to the lives of our athletes. Very disappointing."

Forty-seven English hockey and lawn bowls players arrived Friday and are staying at a hotel until their team managers deem the village suitable for habitation. After a flurry of news reports about bed mattresses with footprints, toilets without water and street dogs wandering about the complex, some athletes have lowered their expectations.

"It's not going to be beautiful to look at," said Barry Middleton, captain of the English hockey squad. "But we'll get used to it after a while."

Mr. Middleton said he and several other English players were in India in March for an international hockey tournament, and knew what to expect. But first-timers have been shocked at the level of security around them, with gun-wielding army and police officers out in full force in the streets. At normal sporting events "we can get out and see places and have some down time to just relax a little," he said. "But here, we're allowed out only in groups, so we end up sticking in the hotel." Still, he said, the team is excited to be in India and is looking forward to the competition.

Simon Mantell, a forward on the England hockey team, said players are being extremely careful about food and snacks to avoid the nasty stomach bugs popularly known as "Delhi belly." The hotel chef is preparing special meals on request, and athletes are carrying hand sanitizers wherever they go. "We're very careful to make sure hygiene is at the utmost," he said.

India's Games Organizing Committee Chairman, Suresh Kalmadi, has been under fire domestically and abroad for mismanaging the event. On Saturday he first took some blame but also said he isn't responsible for shoddy construction and the mess at the Games Village because various government agencies took too long to build and turn over venues to the Organizing Committee.

"We have taken in the venues a little late, and that's where the problems start," he said. After months of saying repeatedly that these will be "the best Games ever," Mr. Kalmadi was noticeably chastened at the news conference, noting only that the Games would be "good."

The Games have been plagued by construction accidents, fears of a terrorist strike after two tourists were shot in Delhi's old city and health concerns over the spread of dengue fever in Delhi. Now they're also running into a notorious Indian roadblock: bureaucratic paperwork. As security tightens at the last minute, many Games employees and volunteers are struggling to get the credentials they need to enter venues.

Dennis Meredith, an Australian consultant who is helping to organize the hockey tournament, said even ground staff like those who carry buckets of ice onto the field aren't being allowed in. "We're having massive problems with accreditation," he said. "What's going on here is crazy."

Other last-minute problems are cropping up, like unfinished practice facilities for some sports. A wrestling practice gym near Delhi University in the north of the city is still under heavy construction and can't be used yet, according to a Games official there. Nearby, the rugby practice field is in decent shape but players don't have showers and changing rooms.

In New Delhi, the chaos surrounding the Games has become a hot, if depressing topic at local shops and restaurants. At Café Turtle in central Delhi's Khan Market, locals said they were happy about some changes in the city, like improved roads, but many were furious at the government's mismanagement of the event and said Mr. Kalmadi should be held accountable.

"If it was any other country, they would have fired the guy behind it—but they've done nothing," said Ashwin Chadha, 30 years old, who works at a private-equity firm.

Kanika Jain, a 21-year-old law student, was particularly insulted by an Indian sports official's suggestion last week that Indians can tolerate a lesser level of hygiene than foreigners. But in response to a friend who wanted to see India's Games fail so the country learns a lesson, she snapped back: "Are you mad? India has been defaced enough. Nothing at all good will come from the Games going badly."

First Aussies arrive in Delhi on Monday

The first Australian athletes are set to arrive in New Delhi on Monday for the much maligned Commonwealth Games.

Australian Games chief Perry Crosswhite said the netball, lawn bowls and men's artistic gymnastics teams would "go straight in" the athletes village despite health fears.

Incriminating photos of the athletes' quarters - reportedly 24 hours old - were published on Sunday, showing wash basins littered with dead insects and waste material as well as stained toilets and broken chairs.

But Crosswhite - who is already staying at the village - assured athletes that their accommodation would be "fit for habitation".

Australian officials have cleaned the rooms, sprayed them for insects and sealed them up ahead of the athletes' arrival.

Team medical director Peter Harcourt hosed downed health risks such as dengue fever at the village.

"Provided you can control the big risks, which we think we have, it's fine," Harcourt said.

"You've seen the worst in the press ... and the vask bulk of it is nothing like that."

The Australian team is reeling from the withdrawal of two more athletes - endurance cyclist Travis Meyer and table tennis player Stephanie Sang - due to health and safety fears.

They take the total of Australians to have pulled out to three following world discus champion Dani Samuels' emotional withdrawal last week.

"As we have said all along, athletes have to make their own decision as to whether they come here or not - (but) I am disappointed," Crosswhite said.

Time to focus on challenge ahead

Pullela Gopi Chand feels it is time to focus on the challenge ahead in the 2010 Commonwealth Games rather than on issues like pull-outs.

“After a couple of years when you look back, what will matter is whether you won a medal or not in Delhi,” Gopi said.

The Indian squad has been going through a preparatory camp at the Gopi Chand Academy here. “Playing in front of home crowds and in conditions familiar to us are advantageous. But, again, even to win here, you have to play at your best,” he said.

He picked the World No. 12 mixed doubles pair of V. Diju and Jwala Gutta for special mention.

“They are an exceptional combination and the way they complement each other on the court is amazing.

“I am expecting a much better haul of medals in Delhi this time compared to the 2006 Melbourne Games,” Gopi said.

Saina Nehwal who propelled India to a team bronze in the Melbourne Games is in the mood to script a new chapter. “The biggest motivation is that the entire crowd will be behind you. These make the Games so special,” she said.

The team: Men: Chetan Anand, Parupalli Kashyap, Sanave Thomas, Rupesh Kumar and V. Diju.

Women: Saina Nehwal, Aditi Mutatkar, Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa and Aparna Balan.

Chief National coach: Pullela Gopi Chand. Foreign coach: Atik Jauhari .