Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010: Closing ceremony under threat
Before the 19th Commonwealth Games kicked off, a couple of high profile athletes from different participating nations pulled out of the Games over security concerns in the country. The Organizing Committee and the Indian administration made sure
that no undesired incident takes place during the Delhi Games. The army was on standby to combat any untoward happening. Security personnel and the police were very vigilant throughout the events and no one could enter the venue without a thorough security
check.
Now that the closing ceremony has been scheduled to take place on the 14th of October 2010, the Organizing Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation officials are working very hard to ensure fool proof security for the mega event. The Delhi
police representatives told the correspondents that all the government and private organizations and educational institutions will remain closed throughout the day. The officials also revealed that thousands of extra security personnel have been called for
the closing ceremony.
The president of the Commonwealth Games, Mike Fennell said that he is urging the authorities to keep a strict check on the security measures. He also added that the federation is not aware of any threat so far.
The fact that more than 50 kg of explosive material has been smuggled to the country from the Kashmir region has caught the attention of the security officials.
According to the authorities, Lashkar e Taiba poses a serious threat to the closing ceremony. The authorities are suspecting threats of attacks on the metro lines and other crowded venues of the Games.
Rajan Bhagat, the spokesman of the Delhi Police said, “We have been on high alert all these 10 days. We will remain on top alert state till the last day of the Commonwealth Games on Thursday.”
He also went on to say that, “Our responsibility will continue till the last foreign athlete and official leaves the country safely.”
Meanwhile, the team who dominated the Delhi Games, Team Australia made a boycott threat while its officials held a meeting with the representatives of the Organizing Committee.
Chef de Mission, Steve of Team Australia said that the athletes will only attend the closing ceremony if their problems are addressed properly by the organizers. He added that the athletes and other delegates of the contingent were made to wait in a tunnel
outside the stadium before the closing ceremony. Steve demanded that the contingent should be made to wait in the warm up area outside the stadium.
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