Team TTO | Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee | teamtto.org

 Attempts to bend IOC age limit rules poor example for athletes and coaches

Rules are rules and any attempt to bend the International Olympic Committee(IOC) rules in respect of the mandatory retirement age of 80 sets a poor example for the youth of the Olympic movement and the athletes.

This was the response of Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) secretary general Brian Lewis when asked by ttoc.org for a comment in respect of news reports in the international media about the Association of National Olympic Committees(ANOC )resolution calling on the IOC to let the Mexican media magnate retain his spot on the IOC and its policy making executive board past the age of 80.

Lewis ,the TTOC representative at last week's ANOC General Assembly in Acapulco,Mexico. said  that the resolution  and its passing appeared to surprise  some delegates who seemed reluctant to  embarrass the ANOC leader in an open forum.
He however described the procedure  surrounding the passing of the resolution as "troubling "asserting that it will only serve to bring the credibility and good governance principles of the Olympic Movement into question and disrepute.

" Those who occupy the corridors of power in international sport  cannot on one hand be calling on the athletes and coaches to respect and obey the rules ,the Olympic Charter and principles of fair play while on the other hand support efforts to bend the rules.It is unfortunate .
To earn the respect and trust of the athletes and the youth of the world sport leaders  cannot act in a disingenuous and hypocritical  manner.If it is wrong be honest and say it is wrong even if it means going against popular sentiments.The Olympic Movement must stand for what is right not what is convenient no matter how well meaning or well intentioned. "

Lewis believes that the age limit rule came about during a very problematic period in the history of the Olympic movement( Salt Lake  City corruption  scandal) and it will be  a cruel irony if attempts to turn back the hands of time succeeds.
 78 year old Mario Vazquez Rana,  who has headed the Association of National Olympic Committees for 31 years, was re-elected last week to another four-year term.He will be 82 at the end of his next mandate. That would put him two years past the International Olympic Committee's mandatory retirement age of 80.

Vazquez Rana has a long record as a sports administrator. He has been president of the Mexican Olympic Committee since 1974, head of the Pan American Sports Organization since 1975 and president of the Association of National Olympic Committees since 1979.

Cleopatra Borel- Brown ,T&T's flag bearer for tomorrow's opening ceremony arrived in Delhi today.
T&T's Chef de Mission,Annette Knot said that the 2006 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist in the women's shot put confirmed that she would be honoured and delighted to lead the T&T delegation at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

" It is always a tremendous honour for an athlete who is asked to carry their nation's flag at an opening ceremony.Cleopatra has served T&T with distinction and dedication. She has earned the right on merit.' said Knott

Athletes and Officials representing 71 countries and affliates that make up the Commonwealth will parade at the eagerly anticipated Opening Ceremony.
T&T's delegation in Delhi is comprised of 83 athletes and 42 officials.

William Albert ,T&T lone gymnast at the 2010 Commonwealth Games had what his manager ,Ricardo Lue Shue,called an excellent workout earlier today.
Albert a Canadian qualified to represent T&T as his father is a Trinidadian. He will be making his debut in the T&T colours.
Lue Shue said that Albert is a top eight ranked gymnast in Canada and there is a realistic expectations that he will realise his full potential and compete for medal honours.

Source: www.nzherald.co.nz  By David Leggat


New Zealand athletes won't be allowed outside the Commonwealth Games security bubble - and officials know that's going to draw some grumpy reactions.

The bubble takes in the athletes' village, the Games sports venues in New Delhi and the transport to and from them. Those are the areas given the heaviest security allocation.

It's going to mean a long couple of weeks for athletes who might have hoped to see some of the sights of the Indian capital, but chef de mission Dave Currie is unapologetic.

"No, they won't be going into Delhi itself, or leaving that bubble," he said last night.

"It's fair to say it's the first Games I've been involved in [going back to the 2000 Sydney Olympics] where that's been the position we've taken, and that's sad.

One of the things about coming to a Games is enjoying the country you're in. That won't be happening this time."Currie knows some sports teams or individuals won't take the news well.

"We'll talk to the athletes and their managers. It's something we're just going to have to deal with."

Currie said that instruction might be eased later in the Games, but didn't sound optimistic. "We'll see how things pan out," he said.

"In another week's time, if there is more comfort around changing that ... I just don't know. I suspect not.

"There are still some concerns round markets or soft targets," Currie said, adding that "most countries will take the same view as we are".

Currie said the New Zealand headquarters was taking shape and pronounced it "clean and tidy", a far cry from a week ago.

"It's going to be an ongoing challenge for us. From a security point we're okay.

"It's not a five-star hotel, but it's certainly clean and tidy. We are going to have to keep on top of that the whole time we're here."

Currie said there was no mistaking where the New Zealand contingent was housed in the village.

"We've got all our signage up, there's a fantastic banner of Sir Ed [Hillary] and Tensing [Norgay] on the outside of the building. There's no doubt when you come to the New Zealand part of the village that it's a bit of Aotearoa."

And Currie hit back at claims from under-fire organising committee chief Suresh Kalmadi, who yesterday claimed that Western countries were involved in a conspiracy to undermine the Games.

"We've had the opportunity to watch local television and ... certainly there is far greater concern from the Indian community generally in what they see. It's being led by them, not the West."

New Zealand's badminton and gymnastics teams, along with synchronised swimming sisters Caitlin and Kirstin Anderson from Winton and several health officials, were arriving in the village last night to join the bowlers, archers and boxers already settled in.

* India's neighbour, Pakistan, with whom it shares a volatile relationship, is the latest nation to voice anger at the state of its Games village facilities.

"We have given 24 hours to the organisers to bring an improvement or give us a hotel to put up our athletes," Pakistan Olympic Association president Arif Hasan said.

However, the Pakistanis won't pull out of their first participation in a sports event in India since militant attacks on Mumbai in November 2008.

India has stopped sporting ties with Pakistan but will compete against them in multinational events.

Source:www.bbc.co.uk

England's first batch of athletes moved into the much-criticised Commonwealth Games village on Monday after receiving the all-clear by team chiefs in Delhi.

The 48 competitors from the hockey, lawn bowls and shooting squads had been staying in hotels over the weekend.

With 36 other members arriving on Tuesday, England chef de mission Craig Hunter said: "It's not perfect but the accommodation is acceptable."

Meanwhile, injury has ruled out England tennis star Richard Bloomfield.

Britain's number five failed to recover from a long-term back problem in time after aggravating it during a tournament in France in early September.

About 80 Scottish and 50 Welsh athletes arrived on Sunday, although tennis player Elena Baltacha had to pull out of the Team Scotland squad with health concerns.

The Games build-up has been plagued by organisational difficulties, including complaints about filthy conditions, infrastructure problems and even a snake being found in a competitor's room and at the tennis stadium.

There was better news in Delhi later on Monday with the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman insisting the majority of the village flats were ready for athletes.

Suresh Kalmadi said: "80% of the flats are fine. The sun is out and everything will be fine. All the athletes are happy.

"Whatever problems were there earlier have been sorted out. I don't think they have seen a Games village like this anywhere else. There is no more scope for improvement."

Following a weekend of intensive diplomacy and improvement work in the Indian city, Pakistan became the latest team to express their discontent over accommodation.

With organisers given a 24-hour deadline to improve conditions, Pakistan's Olympic Association chief Arif Hasan told Associated Press it was "not fit enough to live in", adding that contingency plans were having to be set in place should another hotel be needed.

As new images of dirty bedrooms appeared in the Indian press on Sunday, there were two further withdrawals from the Australian team.

Cyclist Travis Meyer and table tennis player Stephanie Sang pulled out of the Games, which are due to take place from 3-14 October.

Meyer said he was concerned about health issues, including dengue fever, while Sang is worried about security.


The athletes' village was in the spotlight again on Sunday when Indian boxer Akhil Kumar's bed reportedly collapsed when he sat on it.

"I checked the bed and part of it had no plywood on it. It was disappointing after enduring a long journey," said Kumar, who will compete in the 56kg category, told the Times of India.

"The athletes are at least entitled to a decent place to rest. Even the toilets are not very clean."

Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper said his organisation should not be left to shoulder the blame for problems, which have included a bridge collapsing near the main stadium and part of the ceiling at the weightlifting arena falling.

He claimed repeated requests from the federation's co-ordination commission earlier in the year were not acted upon.


"All the warning signs were there. We were pushing very hard, we kept pushing," Hooper told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme.

"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. These people just did not understand, or seem to accept the magnitude of the problem.

"There were consistently missed deadlines. The government agencies have let everybody down over here as regards meeting those deadlines. But that said we have to make it the best it can be and that's what we're all hoping to do now."

After their first athletes touched down in India on Friday, England warned "more and swift" action was needed.

And although Hunter declared that the village had "the potential to be five star" but was currently "at about three star", the support staff team provided the green light for athletes to move in.

"We are now getting back on track with the planned and phased arrival of athletes and we will begin to reach a peak of team numbers [more than 500] on 5 October," added Hunter.

"There is still a lot more to do to be ready for that peak but, meanwhile, I'd like to pay tribute to our support-team staff who have worked sometimes literally around the clock to get everything in place and safe for the first athletes' arrival.

"It has been a challenging experience but one which will make us stronger as we strive to be successful now on the field of play".


England will announce their flag bearer on Friday, with their first competition coming three days later when swimming's double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington and world champion Liam Tancock will feature.

Photos taken last week exposed the poor conditions of the accommodation in the village.

The images, obtained by BBC Sport, showed dirty bathrooms, animal footprints on beds, exposed wiring and flooding outside the buildings.

However, organisers pledged to tackle the problems and conditions have improved.

Scotland's athletes flew out on Saturday, although Britain's number one Baltacha was not among their number.

The 27-year-old suffers from a chronic liver condition and said attending the Games would be too risky.

Among those who did travel were members of the archery, lawn bowls, shooting, tennis and weightlifting teams.

Team Northern Ireland are also happy that their accommodation is suitable for the team to travel to India on Monday.

'' There are opportunities and lessons for the Commonwealth Games Federation .I was dismayed by the breakdown in relationships between member nations. Afterall we are all our brother's and sister's keeper. You cannot destroy or tarnish the reputation and image of one nation with out compromising the entire group.This is not the time to turn on each other but to reach out and help.'' added Romany

The first English athletes have arrived in Delhi for the Commonwealth Games today as the threat of a mass boycott over safety and facilities receded.

Some of the 34 blocks where around 7,000 athletes and officials will stay were described as "unfit for human habitation" by senior Games administrators earlier this week, sparking fears of a cancellation of the event. The concerns deepened this week when a bridge meant for spectators at the main stadium collapsed and 27 workers were injured.

The Indian prime minister held crisis talks last night, as armies of cleaners and construction workers frantically tried to make the "filthy" athletes' quarters fit for habitation. Photographs made public yesterday revealed the extent of the problem, showing unfinished, flooded rooms with bathroom appliances thick with dirt.

Organisers received a further boost today when, after talks with Games organisers, New Zealand announced its athletes would attend. Several countries, including Wales and Scotland, confirmed yesterday that they would travel after getting assurances that issues with the athletes' village were being addressed.

Although the prospect of a mass boycott appears to be receding, four more British cyclists have withdrawn. England's Ian Stannard and Ben Swift, Wales's Geraint Thomas, and the Isle of Man's Peter Kennaugh all pulled out, with the latter citing concerns over "health and security".

New Zealand had been among the sternest critics of living standards at the village after the team manager, Dave Currie, said earlier this week that conditions in the New Zealanders' accommodation were "unlivable".

P Chidambaram, the Indian home minister, told the Games organising committee and Delhi authorities that he wanted all preparations at key venues finished by tonight or police would not have time to secure the facilities. One of the most powerful figures in the ruling centre-left Congress party coalition, Chidambaram delivered his ultimatum after the Australian prime minister said travel to India was an individual decision for athletes owing to the 14 major terror attacks in Delhi in the past 10 years.

By RAVI NESSMAN, Associated Press

NEW DELHI – The Commonwealth Games chief rushed to New Delhi seeking emergency talks with the prime minister over India's chaotic preparations, as two world champion competitors withdrew and England warned that problems with the athletes' village have left the sporting event on a "knife-edge."

No national teams have yet pulled out, but Scotland announced Wednesday it would delay its travel to the Indian capital, where the athletes' village — said to be incomplete and soiled with human excrement — was supposed to open Thursday.

Indian officials insisted that facilities would be ready and immaculate for the Oct. 3 games opening despite wide-ranging concerns about unfinished buildings construction collapses and an outbreak of dengue fever.

The Games, which bring together more than 7,000 athletes from the 71 countries and territories from the former British empire every four years, was supposed to showcase India as an emerging power in the international community. Instead, it has become a major embarrassment.

The city has had seven years to prepare, though very little work was done until 2008. New Delhi has been a frenzy of activity in recent weeks, as it struggles to meet the deadline — only adding to concern that haste could lead to shortcuts in construction of key facilities.

On Tuesday, a 90-meter (yard) pedestrian bridge collapsed at the main stadium, injuring 27 construction workers, five critically. On Wednesday, part of a drop ceiling at the weightlifting venue collapsed, officials said.

Compounding concerns over the readiness of the games facilities are security fears after the Sunday shooting of two tourists outside one of the city's top attractions. An Islamic militant group took responsibility for the shooting.

Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell is due to arrive in New Delhi on Thursday, and has requested a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, federation chief executive Mike Hooper told The Associated Press.

Hooper said the problems with the games preparations had prompted Fennell to rush to New Delhi far earlier than planned. His emergency trip "emphasizes that this is an important issue and we obviously need to engage at the highest level to get it fixed," Hooper said.

International sports officials have called the games village unfinished, dirty, hobbled by numerous infrastructure problems and even "unsafe and unfit for human habitation."

"It's just filthy. ... It hasn't been cleaned," said Hooper.

In addition to shoddy conditions inside and outside the buildings, there also are problems with plumbing, wiring, furnishings, Internet access and cell phone coverage. Hooper also confirmed reports of excrement found in the village.

"I've never come across this before," Hooper said of the last-minute preparations. "It's very frustrating to see the delays and the fact that we've had to come right down to the wire."

"We've been complaining about the delivery of the venues for nearly two years, and the constant delays," he said.

Andrew Foster, the chairman of Commonwealth Games England, said Wednesday "the next 24 to 48 hours is the critical time" to determine whether the standards of the athletes' village can be raised.

Foster told the BBC that "the safety of the athletes has to be our primary concern, but equally, we cannot just respond to that alone, we have to evaluate the whole thing together and that is what we are doing."

He said "it's a situation that hangs on a knife-edge."

The Indian media blasted its officials for the turmoil — "C'wealth Games India's Shame," The Times of India newspaper said Tuesday in a page-one headline.

But officials continued to downplay the problems, a position that international sports officials say defies reality.

"We are absolutely prepared," Cabinet Secretary K. M. Chandrasekhar, told CNN-IBN television Wednesday.

Speaking of the state of the athletes' village, Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy told CNN-IBN: "Athletes and guests should not bother about such small matters," and insisted it would be immaculate when the events begin.

Referring to the collapsed pedestrian bridge, New Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told reporters: "The accident is not as big as being made out to be." Dikshit is the equivalent of the city's mayor.

The cost of hosting the games — which the government initially pegged at less than $100 million in 2003 — has skyrocketed, with estimates ranging from $3 billion to more than $10 billion.

Scotland's team, the first batch of which was set to leave Thursday, delayed its departure for the games, saying it wants to give organizers time to prepare accommodation and solve the growing number of problems. Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Michael Cavanagh said that would be put off for "a few days."

Australian discus world champion Dani Samuels and England's world champion triple jumper Phillips Idowu both withdrew from the games Tuesday.

Idowu said in a Twitter message that: "I can't afford to risk my safety in the slightest. Sorry people, but I have children to think about. My safety is more important to them than a medal."

Australia's 1990 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Jane Flemming, said Samuels' withdrawal could spark a flood of other athletes to make the same choice.

"It would not surprise me if we now see a whole flux of withdrawals," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

___

AP writers C. Rajshekhar Rao and Tim Sullivan contributed to this report.

David Bond :www.bbc.co.uk

With the worldwide television exposure they offer, countries recognise the power of major sports events to promote themselves and boost their image.
And it is no coincidence that those emerging economies most commonly referred to as the Brics - Brazil, Russia, India and China - are the nations most alive to the potential of the biggest international events.

Since the International Olympic Committee took the calculated risk of taking the 2008 Games to China we have seen a run of big events going to Bric countries.
Brazil is to host the 2014 World Cup while Rio de Janeiro is staging the 2016 Olympics.
And in addition to bidding for the 2018 World Cup, Russia is putting on the 2014 Winter Olympics in the city of Sochi.

Hosting the Commonwealth Games was supposed to be India's chance to show the world that it had left behind the old stereotypes of an economy blighted by corruption and political interference.

Sadly for them their preparations for the Delhi Games have shown that staging these events do have a potentially damaging downside.

Rather than beaming images of gleaming stadiums and happy athletes producing world class sport the last 24 hours have reminded India that the 24 hour modern media culture has a nasty downside. Get it right and the world sits back and applauds. Get it wrong and your failings are transmitted to the globe's rolling news networks.

Delhi may yet surprise us. No major event enjoys a smooth build-up with no problems. Witness all the scare stories about South Africa in the run up to the World Cup this summer. There were issues but largely the event passed off without any major difficulties.

But this does feel different. The most recent comparison has to be Athens. But unlike Delhi the main stadiums and venues were already built in Greece in 2004. The Indians have spent £1.5bn developing eight new arenas for the Commonwealth Games.
Having missed so many construction deadlines the concern now is over the safety of the new venues - especially after the collapse of a pedestrian bridge near the main stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday's less serious problems with the ceiling inside the weightlifting arena.

By finishing the venues so late there are fears over the credibility of the safety certificates issued to the organisers.
Delhi 2010 was supposed to be a springboard for a 2020 Olympic bid. That can be almost certainly be consigned to the rubbish bin even if organisers manage to turn things around in the next 10 days.

So will the Commonwealth Games go ahead?
At the moment, they probably will although the withdrawal of star names like Phillips Idowu and Christine Ohuruogu has raised longer term questions not only over India as a sporting venue but also over the Commonwealth Games as an event. This is a concern with so much public money in Scotland going into the 2014 Games in Glasgow.

The only thing that will change that is if there is a major security or health scare or if the bigger teams start pulling out en masse.

On Wednesday, following a meeting of eight of the bigger English-speaking nations at the swamped athletes village, a letter was sent to the Delhi organising committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation making it clear that they could pull out unless they receive reassurances over the competitors' accomodation and the main stadiums.

This is one last attempt by the major countries to apply as much pressure as possible to the organisers to get their act together in the remaining few days.
But they also know that diplomatically it would be a disaster if any of the British nations or Australia, New Zealand or India withdrew their teams.

For Britain it could create real difficulties. In July the Prime Minister David Cameron headed a trade mission to India including some of the leaders of the country's most powerful companies. With London hosting the 2012 Olympics and Glasgow staging the 2014 Commonwealth Games, ministers will be conscious of the potential for tit for tat boycotts.

Officials insist such considerations will come second to the primary concern - the safety and welfare of athletes. And Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg appeared to subtly shift the responisbility for the decision on whether to travel from the government to the athletes in New York on Wednesday. On Tuesday the Sports and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson had encouraged athletes not to withdraw.

Watching events unfold from the upper floors of Churchill Place in Canary Wharf, Lord Coe and London's Olympic organisers must have been relieved that they have made such good progress in their preparations fo the 2012 Games.
But India's experience shows the high price a country can pay if it gets it wrong.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Team Scotland have delayed their departure to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games because of problems with the athletes' village.

Several countries have complained about the accommodation, with some claiming it is "unfit for human habitation".

Scotland still plan to take part in the Games but will decide on a day-by-day basis when to fly out.

The Games, which are due to run from 3-14 October, have been beset by concerns over security and facilities.

Scotland's first party of 41 athletes and staff in the sports of boxing, rugby sevens and wrestling were set to travel to India on Thursday.

However, Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Michael Cavanagh said that would no longer happen.

Cavanagh said Scotland remained "hugely committed" to the Games but believed urgent action was required and told the BBC: "The village is right now not fit to receive 6,500 athletes, which is due to happen within the next seven days.

"Part of the village is in a very poor condition and a very poor state of maintenance. There have been dogs roaming around the village, the apartments are filthy and there are piles of rubble lying around."

England were continuing to monitor the situation, with chairman Sir Andrew Foster admitted organisers faced "a critical 24 to 48 hours".

"Our staff have been round all 17 sports venues and they are in good order, so the key remaining feature which there's a problem with is the village. The other problems have been resolved," he told BBC Breakfast.

"It's a situation that hangs on a knife-edge."

Welsh officials said their plans for the Games remained unchanged and the majority of the team would travel to Delhi on Saturday despite claims that dogs were discovered on beds designated for their team.

Northern Ireland's first representatives were leaving for India on Tuesday and had organised alternative accommodation in case their scheduled quarters were not ready.

Scotland said the accommodation they were allocated on arrival was unfinished but claimed that they encountered problems even after being moved to a completed section.

Cavanagh added: "The accommodation we were moved into, which we cleaned ourselves, is in itself okay. It's not quite what we'd expect, but it is okay. The issue here is about the rest of the village.

"The accommodation which we were moved out of still has hardly been touched.

"By delaying the arrival of our athletes by a few days, we hope to give the Delhi 2010 organising committee the necessary time to address the concerns that have been raised by both the Commonwealth Games Federation and the countries which arrived early.

"We have discussed this with the sports involved and are in agreement that this is the best course of action under the circumstances."

Scotland's announcement is the latest in a long line of setbacks.

Safety fears were heightened after at least 23 people were injured as a pedestrian bridge collapsed near the event's main stadium on Tuesday.

And a host of the world's leading athletes have pulled out of the event, with English athletes Phillips Idowu, Christine Ohuruogu and Lisa Dobriskey the most recent withdrawals.

World triple jump champion Idowu said he had concerns over security preparations for the Games, whereas Ohuruogu and Dobriskey both had injury worries.

English hurdler Natasha Danvers, who will not be competing because of injury, admitted a number of athletes were worried about competing in Delhi.

"I think a lot of the athletes already out in the holding camp are afraid, and it's a legitimate feeling," she told BBC Breakfast.

"At this point you want to just be thinking about your performance, you don't want to be worrying if you're going to get sick or injured.

"I spoke to some colleagues this morning and they are worried about bombs, they are worried about being shot - it's just so bizarre to have to think about this at this point.

"Delhi has had since 2003 to prepare, that's how long they've known they would have these games, and 11 days out people have these concerns about it being uninhabitable and security's still not good enough."

Jamaica's champion Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt is the most high profile withdrawal, while Kenya's David Rudisha, who broke the 800m world record twice in August, will also not compete.

Australia's discuss world champion Dani Samules said on Monday she would not be travelling to Delhi, citing security and health concerns, and Australia sports minister Mark Arbib warned more could follow Samuels's lead.

Statement by Michael Fennell, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation
CGF statement, September 21, 2010

2010 Commonwealth Games Village

Final preparations for the Commonwealth Games Village have been of concern to the CGF since viewing the residential zone along with a number of Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) advance parties on September 15th. Many issues remain unresolved and as such last night I wrote to the Indian Cabinet Secretary, expressing my great concern with the preparedness of the Athletes Village to welcome the teams of the Commonwealth for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The Village is the cornerstone of any Games and the athletes deserve the best possible environment to prepare for their competition.

Many nations that have already sent their advanced parties to set up within the Village have made it abundantly clear that, as of the afternoon of September 20th, the Commonwealth Games Village is seriously compromised.

Since the nations have been arriving at the Village they have been all commented favorably on the appearance of the International Zone and the main dining area.

However, the condition of the residential zone has shocked the majority of  CGAs that are in Delhi and, despite their attempts to work with the Organising Committee in a constructive manner since arriving on September 15th, significant operational matters remain unaddressed.

The problems are arising because deadlines for the completion of the Village have been consistently pushed out. Now, the high security around the site, while vital, is slowing progress and complicating solutions.

Security remains of the utmost importance to the CGF and our advisors continue to monitor the situation. Currently, this matter remains on track.

However, with the Village to be officially opened on September 23rd, timely acceptable solutions to prepare for the arrival of athletes are of paramount importance.

The CGF has asked the Cabinet Secretary to immediately deploy the necessary resources to fix all the outstanding issues to an acceptable level.

CGF CEO, Mike Hooper, and his staff are already in Delhi and are keeping me constantly informed of the situation and developments.

I will arrive in Delhi at the earliest opportunity so as to assess the situation first hand and provide our member countries and territories with a frank assessment of the situation.

The CGF remains committed to open and transparent communication with our members and their athletes.

Michael Fennell
President

21 September 2010

Source: www.nzherald.co.nz

Next month's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi are under serious risk of being called off says New Zealand team chef de mission Dave Currie.

The unprepared state of the athletes village has stunned delegates from several nations in the Indian capital and Currie said there was a mountain to climb to have it ready for its official opening on Friday, when the first athletes are scheduled to arrive. The first New Zealand athletes are due to check in a day later, ahead of the Games start date of October 3.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell today described the' village as "seriously compromised", not long after Currie accepted an offer from the Indian Games organising committee to shift from their allocated accommodation - which he described as substandard - to an another tower in the village premises.

Currie said the prospects of the Games being cancelled were now very real.

"That's not a decision that we'll make (alone) but there are some realities. If the village is not ready and athletes can't come, obviously the implications of that are that it's not going to happen," he told NewstalkZB.

"I think they (CGF) are in severe difficulties. In the time frame that is left, unless there is tremendous effort and energy and problem-solving ability to get it done, I think it's going to be extremely hard to get across the line.

"They've got a little bit of time but it's kind of two seconds to midnight really."

Currie said the half-built nature of New Zealand's proposed accommodation was "extraordinarily disappointing" to his delegation when they arrived last week. There was still a large amount of post-construction cleanup to be completed, along with issues surrounding cleanliness, plumbing, wiring, internet and mobile phones.

"It's pretty grim really and certainly disappointing when you consider the amount of time they've had to get the village ready for athletes to arrive," he said, noting there was still remedial work to be carried out on their new area.

Leading New Zealand Olympic Committee officials were flying to India today to inspect the village while Fennell also planned to arrive soon to "assess the situation first hand and provide our member countries and territories with a frank assessment".

"Final preparations for the Commonwealth Games Village have been of concern to the CGF since viewing the residential zone along with a number of Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) advance parties on September 15th," Fennell said in a statement today.

"Many issues remain unresolved and as such last night I wrote to the Indian Cabinet Secretary, expressing my great concern with the preparedness of the athletes' village to welcome the teams of the Commonwealth for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

"The condition of the residential zone has shocked the majority of CGAs that are in Delhi and, despite their attempts to work with the organising committee in a constructive manner since arriving on September 15th, significant operational matters remain unaddressed."

Fennell said problems arose due to constant pushing out of building deadlines. Now increased security around the site, while necessary, was slowing the building process.

NZOC president Mike Stanley and secretary-general Barry Maister left for New Delhi today.

Stanley said New Zealand was working with five other nations - England, Scotland, Wales, Canada and Australia - in assessing preparations for the Games. He said the group had voiced their concerns "at the highest possible level".

"What they are frustrated by is not enough action, not enough quick action, to see that, between the time we have now and the athletes coming into the village, or even the opening of the Games, things are going to be ready," he told NZPA.

"As the clock ticks down, that becomes more critical."

Stanley did not want to speculate on how big a risk there was that the Games might not be able to proceed on time.

"There has always been a chance that something could happen to the Games," he said.

"I think most people have been focussed on security and security will continue to be an issue.

The NZOC board is due to meet on Friday to assess the preparedness of New Delhi to hold a safe and secure event.

Stanley said the meeting was "a checkpoint along the way" and "not a decision point necessarily".

The Times of India newspaper was today scathing of the state of the village, reporting that just 18 of the 34 towers were complete.

It said apartments were left unlocked during the day and were regularly accessed by labourers. It reported toilets were a "mess", while fixtures and fittings were still to be provided.

The newspaper said the area set aside to host New Zealand athletes and officials - numbering more than 300 - was the worst of any in the village.

Currie said he had barely had time to inspect other Games facilities because of the problems surrounding the village but members of the New Zealand delegation had indicated they were impressed by the venues.

"The tragedy of it all is that we've got a whole lot of athletes who have put a lot of time and effort and energy into preparing for the Games. The uncertainty for them is just awful really," he said.

"It's inexcusable from the organising committee's point of view that they put athletes through this situation."

- NZPA

Source: www.sportinglife.com

Commonwealth Games England have called for "urgent" work to be done in Delhi before athletes begin arriving on Friday for next month's Games amid worries over "plumbing, electrical and other operational details".

The athletes' village has been criticised by Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell, and CGE have now raised their own doubts.

And a CGE statement read: "Commonwealth Games England remains optimistic that England participation at the Games can go ahead.

"However there is a lot still to be done in the village and this needs to be done with some urgency so that it is ready for the arrival of our first athletes on Friday.

"Since our first inspection, monsoon weather has highlighted a number of different issues which need to be addressed including plumbing, electrical and other operational details."

Just two weeks ahead of the Games, which run from October 3-14, Fennell admitted there are areas of concern about the athletes' village and described the village as "seriously compromised".

Fennell has written to the Indian Cabinet Secretary expressing his doubts and stating that countries who had sent advance parties to Delhi ahead of their athletes had found matters with the accommodation were unresolved.

Fennell said in a statement: "Final preparations for the Commonwealth Games village have been of concern to the CGF since viewing the residential zone along with a number of Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) advance parties on September 15.

"Many issues remain unresolved and as such last night I wrote to the Indian Cabinet Secretary, expressing my great concern with the preparedness of the athletes' village to welcome the teams of the Commonwealth for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

"The village is the cornerstone of any Games and the athletes deserve the best possible environment to prepare for their competition.

"Many nations that have already sent their advanced parties to set up within the village have made it abundantly clear that, as of the afternoon of September 20, the Commonwealth Games village is seriously compromised.

New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie admitted the facilities were not of the standard expected.

He told Newstalk ZB: "The way things are looking, it's not up to scratch.

"The reality is that if the village is not ready and athletes can't come, the implications are that it's not going to happen.

"It is unacceptable from the organising committee that they have put athletes through this."

Fennell revealed that the high security measures now in place at the Games mean work which ought to have been completed earlier is taking longer to complete.

He added: "Since the nations have been arriving at the village they have been all commented favourably on the appearance of the international zone and the main dining area.

"However, the condition of the residential zone has shocked the majority of CGAs that are in Delhi and, despite their attempts to work with the organising committee in a constructive manner since arriving on September 15, significant operational matters remain un-addressed.

"The problems are arising because deadlines for the completion of the village have been consistently pushed out. Now, the high security around the site, while vital, is slowing progress and complicating solutions.

"Security remains of the utmost importance to the CGF and our advisors continue to monitor the situation. Currently, this matter remains on track.

"However, with the village to be officially opened on September 23, timely acceptable solutions to prepare for the arrival of athletes are of paramount importance.

"The CGF has asked the Cabinet Secretary to immediately deploy the necessary resources to fix all the outstanding issues to an acceptable level.

"CGF CEO Mike Hooper and his staff are already in Delhi and are keeping me constantly informed of the situation and developments.

"I will arrive in Delhi at the earliest opportunity so as to assess the situation first hand and provide our member countries and territories with a frank assessment of the situation.

"The CGF remains committed to open and transparent communication with our members and their athletes."

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com.  
Writer-Kwame Laurence

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (T&TOC) president Larry Romany has called on the country's Commonwealth Games team to "feel the passion of being patriotic".
At a farewell function for the home-based members of the team, at Guardian Holdings Limited, in Westmoorings, yesterday, Romany spoke about the thrill of hearing the national anthem—"Forged from the Love of Liberty"—blaring from the speakers during a medal ceremony.
He also made the point that Britain, with a population of 60 million, "has not produced a Brian Lara".
"We are 1.3 million, and we have produced Brian Lara, Ato Boldon, Edwin Skinner, Hasely Crawford, Wendell Mottley, Kwandwane Browne..."
Browne, captain of the men's hockey team, is one of 82 athletes who will wear T&T colours at the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. The contingent also includes 43 officials.
At yesterday's farewell function, T&TOC secretary general Brian Lewis said it is difficult to achieve success at the Commonwealth Games.
"Coming back with a medal at the Commonwealth Games level is not easy. At this level it's high performance. [But] we are going to New Delhi, a long way, to be successful."
Chef de mission Annette Knott leaves T&T today. The chef and chief security liaison Randolph Protain will be the first members of the T&T contingent to arrive in Delhi. Yesterday, Knott assured team members they will be safe during the Games.
"Security will be top rate. No reason for fear at all."
India's high commissioner to T&T, Malay Mishra, said that while his country has hosted many major sporting events, the 2010 Commonwealth Games is of particular importance to Indians.
"This is the crowning point in terms of our sports history.
"The opening [ceremony] on the third [of October]," Mishra continued, "will be one of the most dazzling events."
Romany, who is also president of the Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association (T&TCGA), told the T&T athletes they are in for a treat in Delhi.

"Commonwealth Games always has the fondest memories.

"I'm very proud netball can go to these Games. They have arrived at the right time.

"The stadium (Thyagaraj Sports Complex) is a green building—a phenomenal architectural structure. Hockey, on the other hand, is being played at a heritage venue (Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium).

"The cycling velodrome (IG Sports Complex), I've never seen anything like it.

"The best food I have ever eaten," Romany continued, "is in Delhi. That food is fantastic.

"The culture is very, very rich and diverse. Don't miss any of the cultural shows."

Some members of the T&T team leave for Delhi on Thursday.

"A second group will fly out on Saturday, while the third and final group will leave on Wednesday, September 29.

At the 2006 Commonwealth Games, in Melbourne, Australia, T&T earned three medals—all bronze. Two of the three medallists at that Games—shooter Roger Daniel and shot putter Cleopatra Borel-Brown—will bid for honours in Delhi. Marc Burns, who captured bronze in the men's 100 metres dash, is not a member of the T&T team for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Today  Chef de Mission Mrs. Annette Knott will host a  2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games Team Farewell function.At the Atrium of Guardian Holdings Limited, 1 Guardian Drive, Westmoorings from 2:00pm.

Attending the event will be the local based  athletes and officials selected to travel to New Delhi, India.

Indian High Commissioner ,Mr Malay Mishra,Minister of Sport Anil Roberts and Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association(TTCGA) president Michael Romany will speak with the athletes and officials.

The delegation will also receive information related to the TTCGA Code of Conduct and Team Membership Agreement.

Mrs Knott will depart T&T tomorrow for Delhi. Deputy Chef de Mission is Mr Wendell Labastide.

By Mukesh Sharma
BBC Hindi

Some nations have voiced concerns over potential attacks on their teams.

But Dr Gill told BBC Hindi security officials from more than 70 countries had declared their satisfaction with India's planning for the Games.

He said, "Security will not be just 100 but 120% foolproof. There will be around 100,000 security personnel to ensure safety during the Games."

Security in India has been under scrutiny since the terror attacks of March 2008 in Mumbai that left 101 people dead and 287 injured.

But Gill insisted that competitors should have no fears and said that he has issued guidance about spectators' movements.

He added: "I am warning the security agencies that these arrangements should not be an obstruction -there has to be a balance."

Gill also addressed health concerns about cases of the potentially-fatal dengue fever near the Games village in the Indian capital.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that causes severe head, muscle and joint pains.

"The government is working on war footing [to tackle the problem] and no-one should be worried," he claimed.

Gill also said that allegations of corruption which have also plagued the delay-hit build-up to the Games were being fully investigated by India's financial authorities.

"The Prime Minister and the cabinet has always said that if at all there has been any misappropriation of funds then it would be properly dealt with."

The Commonwealth Games run from 3-14 October, with athletes are due to start arriving on 25 September.

Dear Editors,

On behalf of the Chef de Mission Mrs. Annette Knott and the Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association, we are pleased to extend an invitation to you to attend the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games Team Farewell function.

This activity is mandatory for all athletes and officials attending, what is also known as the “Friendly Games”from the 3^rd – 14^th October, 2010 in New Delhi, India.

Members of the delegation who are currently in Trinidad and Tobago will gather on Saturday 18^th September, 2010 at the Atrium of Guardian Holdings Limited, 1 Guardian Drive, Westmoorings from 2:00pm.

Thank you for your usual kind cooperation and we look forward to seeing you at the event.

Are you ready Trinidad and Tobago, India awaits us!!!

Source: www.nzherald.co.nz

Organisers of the Delhi Commonwealth Games have dismissed Australian government warnings of terrorism risks at the sporting event.

The government's official travel advisory for New Delhi warns Australians of a "high risk of terrorism" surrounding the October 3-14 Games.

But organisers have dismissed the warning as overtly alarmist.

Delhi this week has gone into security lockdown ahead of the Games, with 175,000 paramilitary bolstering 80,000 police in the Indian capital.

Organising Committee secretary-general Lalit Bhanot has assured Australian athletes and officials of their safety.

"We will provide them the full security," Bhanot said.

"We will provide them the best facilities and it is going to be the best ever Commonwealth Games, but they must participate and enjoy.

"There should be no worry as to regard their security and in regards to their safety."

The build-up to the Delhi Games has been plagued by controversy, with terrorism, corruption and health concerns looming large.


Organisers have also been criticised for missing deadlines to complete venues, with tenders for some Games services still being decided.

Among the outstanding tenders is for flag poles at Games venues, but Bhanot was unfazed at any lingering concern.

"I'm fully comfortable as far as the preparations of the Games are concerned," he said.

"We are fully ready.

"The venue operations teams are in place, we have all the international certification, whatever is required, as well as the completion from the local agencies for the safety of the buildings.

"So we are ready to hold these Games and it will be a great Games."

Monsoon rains have recently troubled organisers, with workers toiling day and night to complete infrastructure at venues.

"Yes, this excess rain in Delhi is more than we have seen in the past so it is creating problems," Bhanot said.

"But I don't think it will have an impact - if we get another week where it is not raining, everything will be perfect."

The organising committee';s vice chairman, Randhir Singh, was similarly optimistic, saying only cosmetics around venues remained to be completed.

"We are very well organised and we will, God willing, stage a good Games," Singh said.

"Fortunately, we managed to complete all the work that had to be done before the rains and it is only the furnishing things that have to happen."

By David Leggat
Source:www.nzherald.co.nz

New Zealand Commonwealth Games bosses today went into overdrive, insisting they won't be cutting any corners on security ahead of the October 3 opening of the event in New Delhi.

New Zealand have gone in with Canada, Australia, England and Wales in a joint operation to assess security and general readiness of New Delhi for the Games.

Around September 23, the advance group will report back to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.

"We'll come back and (report that) either it will be okay or we don't think this is viable," New Zealand Games team chief Dave Currie said.

The five countries are pooling their resources with a group of over 40 personnel working together, including seven from New Zealand, two of whom will be embedded within the New Zealand team.

The idea is to make the most comprehensive possible assessment on a variety of fronts.

They include whether basic amenities are working, such as showers and toilets, the state of security round the food in the athletes' village through to issues including transport and health.

However NZOC president Mike Stanley said that while the five will be working closely ultimately there won't be a binding decision taken on whether to continue with the Games or pull out.

"It is going to be a collective consultation and collaboration in all of this," he told the Herald.

"But we are an independent body and will make our own decision based on that.

"Naturally if you engage with a group of nations of a high level of expertise and who have got similar sorts of experience with the Games, obviously we'll take on board their view. But at the end of the day it's our decision."

Currie took a swipe at both those sports sections who have employed independent security advisers on top of the NZOC assessments, and media for speculation around Games issues.

"It's not helpful when people speculate round the situation, whether it be dengue fever or 1000 athletes that haven't arrived. That's mischievous in my view and there's no basis for that at all," Currie said.

He wondered why Netball New Zealand, Hockey New Zealand and the New Zealand Rugby Union have sought extra security information.

"To me there's no logic. They've chosen to do it but I don't know why they've done it.

"Clearly the athletes federation are working with a range of sports. If you think about it, five countries, with all the resources, all the security agencies feeding information into a common pool.

"(Independent advice) is not going to be ignored but thus far they've come up with nothing different to that which we've got from everybody else."

Both Stanley and Currie were at pains to insist the athletes' security is top priority.

"There will be a ring of steel round the village like you won't believe," Currie said.

Stanley added that "if the New Zealand Government can't advise that our athletes will be safe, then we won't go".

"Anyone suggesting we are going to put athletes at risk is being mischievous. This is our No 1 priority, make no mistake."

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Ashwin Creed, deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, recently earned an Executive Masters Degree in Sport Organisations Management (MEMOS) from the Faculty of Science and Sport, University of Poitiers, France. T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) was instrumental in this accomplishment, having nominated Creed for the scholarship to pursue the programme which is supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Creed shared that the programme has provided him with a wide network of sport professionals on whose knowledge he can draw and described the experience as “insightful and valuable in terms of modern sport management”. The objective of the programme is to help professionals working in national or international sports bodies to develop the knowledge required in order to better manage their organisations. It is offered in three languages and delivered over the course of one year.

Among the modules covered are strategic management and governance, performance and risk management, marketing management and brand equity, sport sponsorship and event sponsorship, human resource management, leadership and change management. A dissertation was also required to attain the degree. Creed based his research thesis on the development of funding and evaluation criteria for national sporting organisations.

The MEMOS in English programme consists of three one-week residential modules, each lasting six days, scheduled over 12 months, together with a personal project. Each module takes place in a different city. The defense and public presentation of the study project or dissertation, as well as the awarding of the degrees takes place in Lausanne, Switzerland.