Commonwealth Games 2010: Mixed reactions from Scottish public
After a spectacular opening ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday evening, different reactions are coming from the Scott fans, both as the host of the next Commonwealth Games and as spectators of these Games.
Since the Organizing Committee was confronted with numerous problems during the preparation process, the domestic and international critics and fans were not very hopeful that the Games will start and end on a happy note. Scotland was one of first few nations to accuse the Organizing Committee of the Indian Commonwealth Games as being incompetent. It is true that there were grave issues related to the poor hygiene at the Games Village, but the scornful allegations should have been avoided. Now that Glasgow will be hosting the next Commonwealth Games 2014, there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of the Scott government to execute the tasks in the “perfect” way, the sort that they were expecting from the Indian Government.
Many people in Scotland believe that some of the most renowned athletes of the world withdrew from the event because they did not consider it important enough. Like Usain Bolt, who held himself from being a part of the Delhi Games because they did not fit in his schedule. Experts in Scotland believe that it is the withdrawal of the athletes like Usain Bolt, Phillips Idowu and Asafa Powell, and swimmer Stephanie Rice which has marred the reputation of the Commonwealth Games and not the malfunctioning of the Organizing Committee or corruption of politicians in India. Such events are held to bring together the nations of the world in a harmonious way to promote peace in the world and give an opportunity to the emerging talent who reserve the right to play against some of the champions cherished by the world. Those who have already established their names in the world sports arena, like Bolt and Stephanie, should be a part of such events so that the young athletes have some role models to look up to. In 2104, when Scotland hosts the Games, the nation will have to own up to its own expectations that it associated with the Delhi Games. Chef de Mission of Team Scotland, Jon Doig, also had issues over the timings of the opening ceremony and wanted the athletes of his team to return to the Village before the conclusion of the event. However, some critics are of the view that the opening ceremony of any mega event is an essential part of the Games and is not to be taken for granted by the athletes or the officials who accompany them.
On the contrary, there are some people in Scotland who believe that only India is to be blamed, if the Delhi Games did not establish a good reputation from the very beginning of the preparations. They are also of the view that for the high profile athletes, the World Championships and the Olympics are more important events than the Commonwealth Games. And since the next Olympics are scheduled for London in 2012, athletes like Bolt, Powell and Stephanie are preparing for them. These people also ruled out the allegations put on their favourite athletes on using the public tax money for training and then not taking part in the Games. They also believe that before accusing the athletes of withdrawing from the Games, the reasons for their absence should be pondered upon. The athletes could not risk their lives and health for just an event when they knew that dengue was a threat and the poor hygienic conditions at the Village did really make it unliveable. Some of the experts and fans also argue that it is untrue that Scotland did not send its best athletes to represent the country at the Games since Ross Edgar who carried the Scott flag is one of the most celebrated cyclists of the world.
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