This has been the question for many athletes and officials across the Commonwealth over the last few days. As is often the case with any major sporting championship, media scepticism tends to reach a peak just before the event begins, with huge attention focused on security, drugs scandals, infrastructure and much else.

For most, the turning point for this pre-event trepidation is the first moment of the Opening Ceremony with feelings of cynicism and concern being immediately replaced with excitement and enthusiasm. However, with under a week to go until the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, I’m not so sure this is going to be the case.

Concerns surrounding the efficient delivery of the Games have been widely voiced since Delhi was awarded the event in 2003, however, they reached new heights last week when a footbridge outside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium collapsed. Whilst the Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, couldn’t understand the alarm (Quote: “The footbridge was not meant for athletes and delegates. It was for the use of the common man”. Well, that’s OK then), the incident has triggered outrage with many more serious problems now being exposed.

As with any major event, potential terrorist attacks and security are always a concern. Attention on Delhi, though, has now focused on the images of the athletes’ accommodation released last week. Not only are many areas still unfinished (it was announced today that everything will be completed by Wednesday – four days before the Opening Ceremony), but they showed horrendous levels of hygiene.

(c) BBC Sport - Images of the athletes' accommodation

As I write this, the England team are due to enter the athletes’ village, but they will be without high profile athletes such as Phillips Idowu, Christine Ohuruogu and Lisa Dobriskey. Whilst the two latter athletes pulled out because of ‘injury’, Phillips pulled out because of concerns over his safety . “Sorry people, but I have children to think about,” he said via Twitter. “My safety is more important to them than a medal.”

Whilst he is said to be disappointed not to be competing, his absence and that of many other high-profile British athletes raises other questions about the stature of the event. Putting aside all the concerns over security, safety and uncompleted venues, even if these were all in hand and the Games were fully supported and expected to take place without any further hitches, it needs to be asked as to whether the event still holds its place as a major placeholder in the sporting calendar?

English hurdler Natasha Danvers appeared on BBC Breakfast last week and voiced her thoughts on whether the event has had its day and is still as appealing as before. She quite rightly summed up that for a GB Track and Field athlete, there are many other competitions that are simply more important. 2010 has already witnessed the European Championships, and with the Commonwealth Games being pushed back to October many athletes had already decided not to compete as they are now entering into their winter training schedule in order to be on track for the IAAF World Championships next year, and even more importantly the Olympic Games in London in 2012.

So, when the news of the collapsed bridge and appalling athletes’ accommodation came to the fore, it perhaps wasn’t that hard a decision for some more athletes to withdraw. On the other hand, however, for other competitors the decision hasn’t been as easy, as this event is still of the utmost importance to them.

With GB athletes competing in the vest of their home countries, the Commonwealth Games often offer the opportunity for other athletes to represent their country who might not otherwise get the chance to wear a national vest. It certainly isn’t an easy decision for them to forsake years of preparation and training for what may be for some their only chance of national pride.

The media attention is continuing with further controversy and outrage unfolding on a daily basis, and the jury is out on whether Delhi can recover from its current problems and somehow deliver a successful event. But, albeit that Glasgow is already committed to stage the Games in 2014, are we witnessing the beginning of the end for the Commonwealths?

Personally, having experienced a Commonwealth Games first-hand when I spent two amazing weeks working with one of the top-tier sponsors in Manchester in 2002, Guardian Media Group, I hope not. However, as always, only time will tell.

By Sara Wilson on September 27th, 2010

Tags: Athletics, Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014, London 2012, London 2012 sponsorship, London 2012 sponsorship consultants, Olympic sponsorship, Olympic sponsorship consultants, Olympics, Sport, Team GB

2 comments

Mud-slinging is not an event at the Delhi Commonwealth Games in September, but it just as well might be.

It appears all is not well in Delhi.

On August 16 organisers said the venues would be ready by August 25th. That was yesterday. Has there been confirmation? I’m still looking.

Members of the Organising Committee have been suspended for alleged corruption or, in other words, fingers in the till. Indian Railways, the event’s largest sponsor, is withholding a payment of $30million because they say the money is going to “outside parties”, not to the Games themselves.

One of those “outside parties” is reported to be the international sports marketing company, Sports Marketing and Management (SMAM), but its MD, Mike Bushell, says he hasn’t been paid anything and is claiming a minimum of $12million in compensation. FastTrack has also been dragged into the mire but, interestingly, both companies have been defended by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) suggesting a serious divide between CGF (the Governing Body) and the local Organising Committee (OC).

Even the Queen has been dragged in, reportedly being in a “cold fury” about the allegations which reflect upon the Queen’s Baton Relay which she launched in London last October.

Undeniably, it’s all a bit of a mess, but as you read the many attempts to gloss over the difficulties and paint a brighter picture, you can’t help hoping that once the Games start, all these grimey stories will fade into the background.

Because, even though the Commonwealth Games may not carry the same kudos as major global events such as the Olympic Games or the FIFA World Cup, they do bring out the inevitable national fervour in those Commonwealth countries that participate. And, in the case of many of those countries (our own home nations to name but four), medals are a possibility precisely because other, stronger countries cannot take part.

We may not be stuck to the TV, computers and other digital devices in quite the same numbers as we will be when the Olympic Games come to London, but a large proportion of the nation will enjoy the events, the competition, the personal endeavour stories and, above all else, the success stories.

Because this is what the Olympics, the World Cup and, yes, the Commonwealth Games all have in common – the sense of excitement and achievement; the admiration of those many athletes who spend hours training for their one moment of glory. And it’s our sense of patriotism – we love it when our country wins.

So, even if some in Glasgow have been watching with some horror at the goings-on in Delhi and secretly wondering why they spent so much money and effort in securing the Commonwealth Games for 2014, I suggest they can relax in the knowledge that it will all come out right on the Opening Ceremony night and they will bring the flag back to Glasgow after the Closing Ceremony with eager anticipation for the next four years.

All the Glasgow Organising Committee has to do is ensure that the Games are well-organised, that there’s not a whiff of scandal and – oh did we mention this before? – that there are no security breaches.  If there’s one of those in Delhi, that would be a much more serious issue to get over.  Fingers crossed there won’t be.

By Karen Earl on August 26th, 2010

Tags: Commonwealth Games, Default, Glasgow 2014, London 2012, Olympics, World Cup

1 comment

In 2004, the Government outlined in a paper that they would like to get serious about bidding for international sporting events in this country. Five years on and this is one promise they’ve more than delivered on. With the recent announcements across both codes of rugby, the score is now 5-0 to Britain.

Not counting this year’s ICC World Twenty20, over the next six years we’re within driving distance of the following:

2010 – Ryder Cup; 2012 – The Olympics; 2013 – Rugby League World Cup; 2014 – Commonwealth Games; 2015 – Rugby Union World Cup

And if that wasn’t enough, we’re also bidding for the second biggest sporting event on the planet – the FIFA Football World Cup in 2018.

As a sporting destination, Britain ticks a lot of the right boxes – stadiums, infrastructure, a history of hosting huge events from Wimbledon to The Open, timezone (critical for the TV money) and a vibrant sponsorship sector. The economic and profile boost these events can give a country, if done right, is well documented so at a time when congratulatory headlines are scarce, Team Government has earned a place at the top of the podium.

By Dominic Curran on August 4th, 2009

Tags: Default, Glasgow 2014, London 2012, Olympics, Public relations, Rugby, Rugby League Marketing, Sponsorship, Sport

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