Aussie cyclists still headed to Delhi, Scott Sunderland downplays fears
The Commonwealth Games have been described by cyclists as the “mini Olympic Games” while it stands as a major end-season goal for many road racers and one of the main events for track specialists. While
not much attention is given to the event in many countries, athletes from Commonwealth nations across the world are expected in New Delhi, India this week for the Games, which have a significant effect on the funding of the teams involved.
Twelve days before the start of the Games, a footbridge leading to the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium has collapsed, leaving 23 people injured, as reported by Reuters. This is the latest in a long list of woes
which has been leaving competitors and spectators alike feeling more and more wary of the upcoming event.
"There has been a lot of hype on that subject, but the ACGA [Australian Commonwealth Games Association] has been providing us with information on the security with advice and we have also been briefed,"
said Australian sprinter Scott Sunderland.
If all goes as planned, Delhi 2010 will be host to men’s and women’s road racing and time-trial competitions, held on 10 and 13 October respectively, as well as a total of 14 track cycling events held
in a newly-built velodrome. Sunderland will be joined by two Beijing alumni on the Australian team, and he fully expects to be chosen for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
"I'd have to say an event I'm aiming for would have to be team sprint now with the new list of events at the Olympics - it's the main starting event,” said Sunderland. “But second would be the kilometre
time trial, I'd really like to nail a solid performance at the Games in that event."
If Sunderland is concerned about athlete safety in New Delhi or about the panicked suggestions that terrorist groups would target Westerners at the Games, he doesn’t show it.
"I think the squad will be able to handle the pressure," said Sunderland. "Yes, it's a young group but all the riders are experienced and no stranger to international competition."
Sunderland’s opinion, and apparently the opinion of the ACGA though, differs from that of other high profile groups who have deplored the conditions.
“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 20 September, the Commonwealth Games village is seriously
compromised,” said the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
“If the village is not ready and athletes can't come, obviously the implications of that are that (the event) is not going to happen,” said New Zealand team manager Dave Currie on the national radio.
But Sunderland doesn’t share their concern.
"I believe they wouldn't send us if they didn't believe it wasn't safe. Also, if look back on any major Games there has always been security concerns and this is no different,” he said.
Currie explained that he would only pull out of the games if others countries agree that it is best. The Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council released a statement this morning to the effect that
they would consider that possibility, bringing the list of publicly critical participants to seven so far.
Even Northern Ireland, hardly a security heaven in times past, is considering pulling out.
“Two senior members of team management travel to Delhi today,” said the Irish statement, in agreement with New Zealand’s opinion of the situation. “Only when full facts have been ascertained will any decision
be made. This will be done in conjunction with other home nations and statutory bodies.”
Whatever the case though, at the very least, the troubled Delhi games will be able to rely on athletes like Sunderland to compete no matter what.
Tags: