India sports minister M. S. Gill has criticised the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) for failing to secure participation of a number of star athletes at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The comments were made after British cyclist and Olympic champion Chris Hoy announced it was pulling out of the Games so as to focus on Europian championships. This was followed by a similar decision from Jamaican sprinter and Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt. Bolt has explained that the event is too late in the season for him to be able to attend the same. He would prefer to start training for next year.
“If these stars failed to turn up, then a lot of efforts will go waste. I again request CGF president Mike Fennell to esnure better particiation of athletes and not officials. I want all ‘A’ list of players.” said Gill.
However, organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi highlighted that most of the participating countries will be sending their biggest delegations ever: “If one or two do not come, it does not matter. The Games will go on, the best of the world are coming and new champions will be created.”
Gill said athletes prefer to take part in regional competitions over the Commonwealth Games because these events qualify for the Olympics and he plans to raise this issue at a meeting of sports ministers from all the Commonwealth nations on October 4.
Commonwealth Games organisers are seeking an Indian sponsor to try to encourage Usain Bolt to commit himself to the event in New Delhi next year. The Jamaican, the world record holder for the 100 and 200 metres, has so far kept his schedule for 2010 under wraps but officials hope that a big Indian company would guarantee his participation.
Officials believe that in a country with the 12th biggest economy in the world, along with China, the fastest growing – the triple Olympic and world champion would be an attractive brand ambassador for a major Indian firm. It remains to be seen if any of Indian companies share their view and find it worthwhile to take the plunge. So far, the International sports good companies have promised quite a lot regarding India's growth story but have failed to deliver when it comes to making commitment to the market. This can be attributed to their lack of understanding of the market dynamics, and also to the fact that Indian customers are extremely price sensitive.
The super star said at the World Championships in Berlin last month that he hoped he would be able to compete at Commonwealth Games in the Indian capital due to begin on October 3, 2010. A final decision will be taken after consultation between the star and his coach and training staff.
Click here to watch Usain Bolt's WORLD RECORD setting run at Berlin World Championships.
Usain Bolt's dream run continued at world championships as he shattered his own 200m world record. Usain slashed 0.11 sec off the time he set in Beijing, running in a time of 19.19 seconds. Earlier this week he also brought down his 100m record from 9.69 seconds to 9.58sec (Video: Usain Bolt breaking 100 m record), the exact same cut he achieved in 200m.
Bolt, who completed his 200m win a day before his 23rd birthday, set three world records when winning his Olympic golds in Beijing last summer and his breathtaking performances in Berlin have enhanced his reputation as the best sprinter of all time. Interestingly, at the post event ceremony, Bolt confessed that he was not 100% during the 200m run. "Maybe next time I should just run the 200m or the 100m alone," he added. "My form was going backwards. I wasn't running upright. It wasn't a good race but it was a fast one."
Bolt had one false start but got off the blocks quickly and opened up an easy, early lead which was enough for him to take him to the finish line. His nearest competitor was Alonso Edward, who finished with a time of 19.81 seconds while the American Wallace Spearmon took the bronze with 19.85 seconds.
His scintillating performance has led a few people to question if he is taking any performance enhancement supplements. However, Bolt insists that the only reason for the same is hard work and discipline.
Click here to read more about Usain Bolt. You can also find info about fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell.
Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt has said that he is targeting the 9.4-second barrier for the 100m after setting a new world record at the World Championships. The 22-year-old recorded a time of 9.58 seconds as he raced to a sensational victory in Berlin last night. Bolt's coach Glen Mills had predicted after the Olympics that his runner could make 9.54 and was nearly proved right.
"I think it will stop at 9.4, but you never know," said the Jamaican.
"I'm going to run hard. I think it's going to be even more difficult because I just took Tyson's 100m title, so I know he's going to come after me. I'm just going to do my best like I always do. You can always expect me to go out and run my heart out. It's going to be fun."
Fun certainly seems to be the buzz-word around Bolt, who is happy to laugh and joke with his competitors and the crowd until the very last seconds before the start of a race.
And the star has no plans to change this relaxed approach.
"I train all year round to run the 100m, so I know what I've got to do. When I go in the blocks, I know what's necessary, so, for me, I can have all the fun I want before the race."
However, Bolt is wary of overcelebrating while he still has his favoured event - the 200m - to come in Berlin.
"I came out here to do my best and I did what I had to do," he said. "There'll be no partying for me ahead of Tuesday. I'll rest up as always. I need to rest up for the 200m."Click here to read more about Usain Bolt.
Jamaican sprint king, Usain Bolt, celebrated anniversary of his triumph at Beijing Olympics in style by breaking his own world record in men 100-meter race at the World Championships in Berlin's Olympic Stadium. It was exactly on this day a year ago he became Olympic 100m Champion. Then many thought that a peak for 100m has been set for some time to come. Breaking that myth Bolt completed the distance in just 9.58 seconds, cutting his own previous record by a WHOPPING 0.11 sec.
In May 2008, when most of the world had not yet heard of Bolt or seen his signature pose of the same name, the record, held by fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell, stood at an impressive 9.74 seconds. In little more than a year, Bolt has broken it three times, cutting 0.16 second off the total and saving the biggest cut for Sunday night here.
US world champion, Tyson Gay, claimed the silver in 9.71 seconds and former world record holder, Asafa Powell of Jamaica took the bronze (We do not find it necessary to mention the time).
The focus now shifts to 200m event. It remains to be seen if Bolt can repeat his performance at the event scheduled for later this week. Lately, he has indicated that he is getting tired.
Bolt, current Olympic and World Champion said he was tempted to complete his collection by running in the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in New Delhi in October of 2010.
"I think I will be going to the Commonwealth Games; my coach will decide. I think it's going to be at the end of the season, so it depends on how long I race next season."
Click here to read what fellow Jamaican and former world champion Asafa Powell has to say about Commonwealth Games.
