Second thoughts, perhaps? … but much too late
Saturday, September 18, 2010
THE Commonwealth Games, which takes place every four years, is the world’s third largest multi-sport event.
Because it is confined to countries of the former British Empire it is worth no more than a mention to much of the wider world.
However, for countries such as Jamaica — which fondly recalls successfully hosting the Games in 1966 just four years after political independence — the Games remain a prized possession.
It is with some concern, then, that we view the controversies that have haunted the build-up to the extravaganza set for India’s capital, Delhi, October 3 to 14.
India, an extraordinarily complex and culturally rich society, is the largest of the Commonwealth countries in terms of population, with nearly 1.2 billion people. Though it is among the world’s fastest growing economies, there is also extreme, large-scale poverty underpinned by puzzling caste diversities.
Crucially, it is considered among the countries most vulnerable to terrorism.
Given all that, much of the concern being expressed in developed member countries of the Commonwealth, and even from within India itself, should come as no surprise to anyone.
Even from this distance though, we feel certain that the Indian Government will do all in its power, using whatever resources are necessary, to make sure the games are an organisational success.
For this newspaper, the biggest regret is the timing of the Commonwealth Games, in October, with the regular track and field season long gone.
It has meant that the track stars of the Commonwealth, including the highly sought after Jamaican Gold medal winners in Berlin and Beijing, thought once, twice and then decided against Delhi.
A crucial consideration for the elite athletes is that 2011 is a world championship year, with the IAAF World Championships set for South Korea next August/September. To be at their sharpest for next year, athletes — guided by their coaches and trainers — must rigorously abide by tried and proven training schedules stretched over several phases, starting months before actual competition.
Readers should note the report in yesterday’s Observer that Mr Usain Bolt — who months ago made it clear he would not be available for Delhi regardless of the inducements — plans to begin pre-season training on October 4, which is actually a day after the start of the Commonwealth Games.
Of course, the scheduling of the Games in October, and not during the track season from June to August, wasn’t done capriciously. It just so happens that the globally accepted track season also marks the height of India’s monsoon season when organised outdoor sporting activity becomes well-nigh impossible in that country.
Back in 2003 at the Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay, when the choice of Delhi was made ahead of the city of Hamilton, in Canada, most of the challenges now facing India were predicted.
The feeling then was that after being consistently ignored for so long, India – a leading voice in the Third World — deserved a chance, even if it meant there had to be a stretch to fit. The suspicion back then was that many of those who opted for the Indian bid were attracted by pledges of cash and kind to assist their track programmes.
All things considered, and given the importance of track athletics to the Commonwealth Games, many who backed India in 2003 are probably having second thoughts now.