DELHI - 2010 Commonwealth Games

[hkskyline]

Stuck, Hooper argues with PM's guards
15 October 2010
Indian Express

Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Mike Hooper had an argument with members of the Prime Ministers security detail after they stopped him from leaving the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium before PM Manmohan Singh, UPA Sonia Gandhi and other VVIPs left the venue of the Australia-India hockey final.

"This is ridiculous. This is not how you treat your guests. If the PM is leaving the venue, do you want me to be stuck inside the building. I am shocked at this kind of treatment," argued Hooper, as the helpless guards looked on. Hooper was stuck at the exit along with five other Commonwealth officials.

"We can't sacrifice the security of the Prime Minister in any case. I know Mr Hooper and his status, but nobody, and this means nobody, will be allowed to leave the venue before the PM and others step out," said one of the guards.

"I respect the politicians of this country and understand that the PM and Madam Gandhi are supposed to leave, but I should be allowed to leave from somewhere at least. I have tried three other exits and all of them are blocked. I can't keep standing here like this," Hooper later told The Indian Express. "We have had a successful Games after all the initial problems. But things like these can be extremely frustrating," said Hooper. He was allowed to leave after a senior official from the Prime Minister's Office intervened.

[SSCaddict]

hooper should realise that he is the PM

[sanjupalayat]

Even EX-President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was body checked by securities before entering to USA!! considering this Hoppers case is forgettable!! we are sorry Hopper PM is more important for us than you!!

[jerseyboi]

[anukris]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

Australian, N.Zealand media hail India as the games end
15 October 2010

SYDNEY (AFP) – India defied a disastrous start to produce a safe and successful Commonwealth Games which were running smoothly by the final stages, Australian and New Zealand media said Friday.

"Bravo India" declared an editorial in Sydney tabloid the Daily Telegraph which described the New Delhi Games as a "glorious competition".

"This isn't down to mere good fortune. Games officials have worked hard throughout to ensure a Games to remember, and for all the right reasons," it said, as it praised the South Asian giant's best ever gold medal haul.

New Delhi organisers suffered a barrage of bad publicity in the lead-up to the October 3-14 competition, with complaints about the unfinished and unhygienic athletes' village, the risk of dengue fever and venue safety fears.

Days ahead of the event, the Australian government had warned of a "high risk of terrorism" during the Games, while athletes were also put off by the risk of contracting dengue fever.

But while the Games struggled against construction delays, empty stadiums and ticketing chaos, its security lockdown was effective, said The Australian.

"That India, a giant chaotic democracy located in one of the world's most unstable regions, managed to avert a major terror attack in the face of serious threats from regional militants is a significant mark of success," it said.

And while there had been incompetence from organisers, the locals had picked up the pieces and shown that "even the biggest mess can be cleaned up", The Sydney Morning Herald said.

"They've pulled it off admirably and deserve better than the carping, nit-picking and borderline racism that has masqueraded as informed coverage of the Games," wrote journalist Peter Hanlon.

The New Zealand Press Association said organisation gradually improved as the Games progressed, to the point where everything was running like clockwork just before the closing ceremony.

"For a Games where all the (Western media) talk going in was about cancellation, or a swift transfer to Melbourne, and where athletes bailed out pre-Games for fears over their safety and hygiene, Delhi far exceeded expectations," it said.

"(By the closing ceremony) Games buses were running on time, crowds at many venues were sizeable, as security guards relented on their frisking frenzy.

"Delhi did perform, and it did deliver, albeit in a quirky, colourful, spasmodic, random and often frustrating fashion."

However, it poured cold water on Delhi's ambitions to host the 2020 Olympics, concluding: "Those Games, India is not ready for."

Dude!! Dont post this bull crap from Australia/NZ ... etc., why do you even bother.. they almost blown everything out of proportion.. so Indians stopped looking into this nonsense.. !!

[gorgu]

Originally Posted by sanjupalayat

Even EX-President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was body checked by securities before entering to USA!! considering this Hoppers case is forgettable!! we are sorry Hopper PM is more important for us than you!!

What a fucking stupid statement, get over yourselves, Hooper in terms of the commonwealth games has the same status as your prime minister, your president, Prince Charles or even the queen. Hooper should have been given special dispensation and it just shows a level of being unorganized and inflexibility, from this guard and the authorities that this situation eventuated.

[Master of Disguise]

You may think whatever Mr...the fact is...Dr Manmohan Singh is Head of Indian Democracy and no one....NO ONE can go and meet him like that....Then it may be charles or Hooper ..Rules are Rules ....and what organiZation of work you are talking about...Do you really UNDERSTAND the difference between head of GAMES BODY and HEAD of COUNTRY.....education is must...well take care.

[tuguesh]

Those games are a non sense anyway. Better stop that post-colonial crap. Nobody cares anyway.

[Lord David]

Originally Posted by tuguesh

Those games are a non sense anyway. Better stop that post-colonial crap. Nobody cares anyway.

Perhaps you, but much of the Commonwealth, particularly the territories pride in this event. It needs to evolve and go further by selecting more non traditional hosts.

More importantly, it should be downsized, not in number of athletes or sports, but in venue capacities. It should also be codified, in a sense that you MUST host the sports chosen by the Commonwealth Games Federation and not just the core sports and 7 optional ones.

It's a sporting event which is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as an event that could get the city or the country an Olympics should they bid. Just look at London, Manchester failed twice to get the Olympics and went on to host a successful Commonwealth Games in 2002. That paved the way to a successful London 2012 bid in which most would have probably said London wouldn't have gotten if Britain hadn't proven itself with the hosting of Manchester 2002.

I think it's still relevant, just needs some changes to allow more prospecting cities to bid.
http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/topi...nwealth-games/