Like I say, they have a billion people. They have enough people to do a total dry run of the games!
-
IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here. The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.
Delhi Games village 'unfit for athletes'
- Thread starter THE_CHANSTER
- Start date
Like I say, they have a billion people. They have enough people to do a total dry run of the games!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/21/commonwealth-games-crisis-bridge-collapse
The Commonwealth Games in Delhi, due to open in 12 days, are in crisis after a footbridge collapsed injuring 23 people. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
The Commonwealth Games in Delhi, scheduled to open in 12 days' time, are under severe threat after a footbridge collapsed, injuring 23 people, and UK officials condemned the still uncompleted athletes' accommodation as "unfit for human habitation".
With the first competitors due to arrive at the village in around 48 hours, several national teams expressed doubt that workers could complete the much-delayed building work on time. It is the latest crisis to befall a games already mired in rows over security, poor planning, alleged corruption and a soaring bill for Indian taxpayers.
The footbridge connecting a car park with the games' main stadium collapsed as construction crews carried out some last-minute concreting work. At least 23 people were reported to be injured, five seriously, police said.
Earlier, team leaders from England, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, Australia and Canada expressed grave concerns about the residential towers intended to host the 6,500 athletes during the games, which are to run from 3-14 October. Particular concern surrounds incomplete plumbing and electrical work, and piles of uncleared rubble. According to the Times of India, just 18 of the 34 towers at the village are fully complete.
The most strongly worded complaint came from Commonwealth Games Scotland, which released a statement today warning that the accommodation intended for its team was "unsafe and unfit for human habitation" and warned that the event could be called off.
It continued: "Representation has been made to the Commonwealth Games Federation to make a realistic decision as to at what point and under what conditions they would determine whether the games will be able to go ahead should the village issues not be resolved."
Commonwealth Games England said in a separate statement that it remained "optimistic" that the country's team would still take part. "However, there is a lot still to be done in the village and this needs to be done with some urgency so that it is ready for the arrival of our first athletes on Friday."
The Commonwealth Games Federation, which oversees the organisation of the four-yearly event, said it had written to India's government to express "great concern". The federation's president, Michael Fennell, said: "Many nations that have already sent their advanced parties to set up within the village have made it abundantly clear that … the Commonwealth Games village is seriously compromised."
The head of the New Zealand team, Dave Currie, was even more blunt. He told Radio New Zealand: "The way things are looking, it's not up to scratch. The reality is that if the village is not ready and athletes can't come, the implications are that it's not going to happen."
Steve Moneghetti, the former marathon runner who heads Australia's delegation, was slightly more hopeful, saying: "It's probably not up to western standards … but hopefully it will be suitable for the athletes."
Michael Cavanagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, told BBC radio that there was still a huge amount of work to be done: "We've been told there are piles of rubble lying around the village. They have a very short space of time so we hope the Indian government will put real pressure on the organisers. The Delhi organising committee are running out of time and they need to do it very, very quickly."
However, games organisers insisted the village would be ready in time and the issues were largely cosmetic.
"There were some flats that the labour force was working on and they had dirtied certain other flats," said Randhir Singh, vice-president of the organising committee. "They will be looked into and I'm sure there will be no problem. We still have two days for the teams to come and the situation will be under control. The buildings are perfect, they've all appreciated, and 24 hours is a long time and we will organise it."
When Delhi was awarded the event seven years ago, it was billed as a coming out party for modern India – an economic and political showcase of the sort enjoyed by Beijing in 2008. Instead, critics say the runup to the games has showcased many of the country's failings, including a tendency for large-scale public infrastructure projects to become mired in corruption, delay and political infighting.
City authorities have also faced criticism over the removal of migrant shanty towns to make way for the village.
Security fears were heightened on Sunday when gunmen on a motorbike shot and injured two Taiwanese tourists near the Jama Masjid mosque, one of Delhi's biggest tourist attraction. Police said there was no immediate information linking the incident to the games.
Adding to organisers' woes, even if the event takes place, is the already confirmed absence of several top stars including Usain Bolt, Chris Hoy and Jessica Ennis. It is also unlikely that many events will sell out, while many city hotels complain they are likely to be less full than in a normal October.
The Commonwealth Games in Delhi, due to open in 12 days, are in crisis after a footbridge collapsed injuring 23 people. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
The Commonwealth Games in Delhi, scheduled to open in 12 days' time, are under severe threat after a footbridge collapsed, injuring 23 people, and UK officials condemned the still uncompleted athletes' accommodation as "unfit for human habitation".
With the first competitors due to arrive at the village in around 48 hours, several national teams expressed doubt that workers could complete the much-delayed building work on time. It is the latest crisis to befall a games already mired in rows over security, poor planning, alleged corruption and a soaring bill for Indian taxpayers.
The footbridge connecting a car park with the games' main stadium collapsed as construction crews carried out some last-minute concreting work. At least 23 people were reported to be injured, five seriously, police said.
Earlier, team leaders from England, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, Australia and Canada expressed grave concerns about the residential towers intended to host the 6,500 athletes during the games, which are to run from 3-14 October. Particular concern surrounds incomplete plumbing and electrical work, and piles of uncleared rubble. According to the Times of India, just 18 of the 34 towers at the village are fully complete.
The most strongly worded complaint came from Commonwealth Games Scotland, which released a statement today warning that the accommodation intended for its team was "unsafe and unfit for human habitation" and warned that the event could be called off.
It continued: "Representation has been made to the Commonwealth Games Federation to make a realistic decision as to at what point and under what conditions they would determine whether the games will be able to go ahead should the village issues not be resolved."
Commonwealth Games England said in a separate statement that it remained "optimistic" that the country's team would still take part. "However, there is a lot still to be done in the village and this needs to be done with some urgency so that it is ready for the arrival of our first athletes on Friday."
The Commonwealth Games Federation, which oversees the organisation of the four-yearly event, said it had written to India's government to express "great concern". The federation's president, Michael Fennell, said: "Many nations that have already sent their advanced parties to set up within the village have made it abundantly clear that … the Commonwealth Games village is seriously compromised."
The head of the New Zealand team, Dave Currie, was even more blunt. He told Radio New Zealand: "The way things are looking, it's not up to scratch. The reality is that if the village is not ready and athletes can't come, the implications are that it's not going to happen."
Steve Moneghetti, the former marathon runner who heads Australia's delegation, was slightly more hopeful, saying: "It's probably not up to western standards … but hopefully it will be suitable for the athletes."
Michael Cavanagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, told BBC radio that there was still a huge amount of work to be done: "We've been told there are piles of rubble lying around the village. They have a very short space of time so we hope the Indian government will put real pressure on the organisers. The Delhi organising committee are running out of time and they need to do it very, very quickly."
However, games organisers insisted the village would be ready in time and the issues were largely cosmetic.
"There were some flats that the labour force was working on and they had dirtied certain other flats," said Randhir Singh, vice-president of the organising committee. "They will be looked into and I'm sure there will be no problem. We still have two days for the teams to come and the situation will be under control. The buildings are perfect, they've all appreciated, and 24 hours is a long time and we will organise it."
When Delhi was awarded the event seven years ago, it was billed as a coming out party for modern India – an economic and political showcase of the sort enjoyed by Beijing in 2008. Instead, critics say the runup to the games has showcased many of the country's failings, including a tendency for large-scale public infrastructure projects to become mired in corruption, delay and political infighting.
City authorities have also faced criticism over the removal of migrant shanty towns to make way for the village.
Security fears were heightened on Sunday when gunmen on a motorbike shot and injured two Taiwanese tourists near the Jama Masjid mosque, one of Delhi's biggest tourist attraction. Police said there was no immediate information linking the incident to the games.
Adding to organisers' woes, even if the event takes place, is the already confirmed absence of several top stars including Usain Bolt, Chris Hoy and Jessica Ennis. It is also unlikely that many events will sell out, while many city hotels complain they are likely to be less full than in a normal October.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ot...-injured-in-stadium-foot-bridge-collapse.html
Senior police official H S Dhaliwal said the steel arch supporting the 164-foot long foot-bridge collapsed outside the Nehru Stadium which is to host the opening and closing ceremonies and athletic events of India’s fortnight-long showpiece event beginning on Oct 3.
The bridge, linking the car and bus parking lot to the stadium but now a mass of mangled steel, was to have transported thousands of athletes, officials and spectators to the main Games venue.
Rakesh Mishra, the Commonwealth Games’ chief engineer, said a loose pin on the bridge’s steel structure had given way whilst "concreting" of the road beneath was in progress.
He said an inquiry has been ordered into the accident which he admitted was a "setback" but claimed the damage would be rectified "soon".
Mishra also dismissed speculation that the continuous monsoon downpour over the past two days was responsible for the accident.
Preparations for the Games that end on Oct 14 are down to the wire and the event risks descending into farce with large scale construction work on various sporting venues still under way.
In an emergency move the Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrashekhar has now been put in charge to complete the Games’ preparations.
Games officials said all incomplete work would be finished within 36 hours and would be up to “world class” standards.
A few months ago the watchdog Central Vigilance Commission had accused the Organising Committee of shoddy construction of many Games venues and claimed that questionable completion certificates had been granted them.
Organising committee head and ruling Congress Party MP Suresh Kalmadi, however, dismissed these allegations, reiterating that the event would be the "best ever, even better than the 2008 Beijing Olympics".
But Michael Fennel, head of the Commonwealth Games Federation, issued a damning statement after the athletes’ village was inspected by several participating nations who were “shocked” by what they saw.
"Many nations that have already sent their advance parties to set up within the village made it abundantly clear that, as of the afternoon of Sept 20, the Commonwealth Games village is seriously compromised,” Fennel said.
Toilets in the athletes’ village were leaking and choked and did not flush, building debris was piled high in bedrooms and bathrooms and wiring in residential rooms was incomplete.
Power was erratic or simply not working, several lifts were non-functional and the area around the games inundated with water from the rain and a breeding ground for dengue and malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
"The reality is that if the village is not ready and athletes can’t come, the implications are that it’s not going to happen,” New Zealand’s chef de mission Dave Currie said.
Scottish team officials joined the chorus of condemnation surrounding accommodation for athletes decrying the Commonwealth Games village as "unsafe and unfit for human habitation.”
Team Scotland were reallocated accommodation after lodging a complaint with Games organisers last week but have disclosed that even their new quarters required “serious cleaning” - which they ended up performing themselves.
Security too was a major concern after two Taiwanese tourists were shot and injured by gunmen on a motorcycle reportedly from an Islamist group in Delhi’s walled city area on Sunday.
Several Islamist organisations with links to al-Qaeda had threatened to disrupt the Games. Armed Maoists insurgents too were active across India.
Senior police officials conceded that varied security measures like close circuits televisions, 'boom’ barriers restricting vehicular movement and other associated equipment was being installed.
Senior police official H S Dhaliwal said the steel arch supporting the 164-foot long foot-bridge collapsed outside the Nehru Stadium which is to host the opening and closing ceremonies and athletic events of India’s fortnight-long showpiece event beginning on Oct 3.
The bridge, linking the car and bus parking lot to the stadium but now a mass of mangled steel, was to have transported thousands of athletes, officials and spectators to the main Games venue.
Rakesh Mishra, the Commonwealth Games’ chief engineer, said a loose pin on the bridge’s steel structure had given way whilst "concreting" of the road beneath was in progress.
He said an inquiry has been ordered into the accident which he admitted was a "setback" but claimed the damage would be rectified "soon".
Mishra also dismissed speculation that the continuous monsoon downpour over the past two days was responsible for the accident.
Preparations for the Games that end on Oct 14 are down to the wire and the event risks descending into farce with large scale construction work on various sporting venues still under way.
In an emergency move the Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrashekhar has now been put in charge to complete the Games’ preparations.
Games officials said all incomplete work would be finished within 36 hours and would be up to “world class” standards.
A few months ago the watchdog Central Vigilance Commission had accused the Organising Committee of shoddy construction of many Games venues and claimed that questionable completion certificates had been granted them.
Organising committee head and ruling Congress Party MP Suresh Kalmadi, however, dismissed these allegations, reiterating that the event would be the "best ever, even better than the 2008 Beijing Olympics".
But Michael Fennel, head of the Commonwealth Games Federation, issued a damning statement after the athletes’ village was inspected by several participating nations who were “shocked” by what they saw.
"Many nations that have already sent their advance parties to set up within the village made it abundantly clear that, as of the afternoon of Sept 20, the Commonwealth Games village is seriously compromised,” Fennel said.
Toilets in the athletes’ village were leaking and choked and did not flush, building debris was piled high in bedrooms and bathrooms and wiring in residential rooms was incomplete.
Power was erratic or simply not working, several lifts were non-functional and the area around the games inundated with water from the rain and a breeding ground for dengue and malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
"The reality is that if the village is not ready and athletes can’t come, the implications are that it’s not going to happen,” New Zealand’s chef de mission Dave Currie said.
Scottish team officials joined the chorus of condemnation surrounding accommodation for athletes decrying the Commonwealth Games village as "unsafe and unfit for human habitation.”
Team Scotland were reallocated accommodation after lodging a complaint with Games organisers last week but have disclosed that even their new quarters required “serious cleaning” - which they ended up performing themselves.
Security too was a major concern after two Taiwanese tourists were shot and injured by gunmen on a motorcycle reportedly from an Islamist group in Delhi’s walled city area on Sunday.
Several Islamist organisations with links to al-Qaeda had threatened to disrupt the Games. Armed Maoists insurgents too were active across India.
Senior police officials conceded that varied security measures like close circuits televisions, 'boom’ barriers restricting vehicular movement and other associated equipment was being installed.
if we can trust ah neh. that will be the day.
Commonwealth Games: India vows to fix Delhi village
Senior officials in Delhi have insisted that the Indian capital will be ready to host the Commonwealth Games.
The comments come after the athletes' accommodation was criticised and branded as unfit for human habitation.
International delegates have said the facilities are filthy and unhygienic, just days before athletes arrive.
A senior official said Westerners had "different standards" of hygiene, but that the site was being thoroughly cleaned before the opening.
Delegates who visited the tower blocks where athletes will live during the games had described them as filthy, with rubble lying in doorways, dogs inside the buildings, toilets not working and excrement "in places it shouldn't be".
Speaking at a news conference in Delhi, Lalit Bhanot, secretary general of the Delhi organising committee, said the authorities understood the concerns shown by some member countries and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).
But he suggested that the complaints could be due to "cultural differences".
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
Clearly, the 'Indian way' hasn't worked - and the Games are turning out to be India's bonfire of vanities”
"Everyone has different standards about cleanliness. The Westerners have different standards, we have different standards," he said.
just because ah neh live in shit, they expect the rest of the world to live in shit
Mr Bhanot said the situation was "under control" and that he was "sure and confident" that cleaning in the residential areas would be complete by the time teams start arriving on 23 September.
He said he had visited many athletes' villages over the years and had never known one of such high quality.
"This is a world-class village, probably one of the best ever," he said.
even up to now, they claim their village the world best, ah neh you are a disgrace to homo sapien
'Shocked'
Mr Bhanot's strong defence comes after Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennell said he had written to India's cabinet secretary urging immediate action over the conditions in the village.
Mr Fennell said officials of teams set to take part in the games had been impressed with the international zone and main dining area, but "shocked" by the state of the accommodation itself.
Advertisement
The overhead bridge was to connect the car park with the main stadium
"The village is the cornerstone of any Games and the athletes deserve the best possible environment to prepare for their competition," he said.
There were also reports in the Indian media that only 18 of 34 residential towers at the village have been completed.
Chris Jenkins, chef de mission for the Welsh Commonwealth team, told the BBC there had been "major snagging issues" in the facilities.
"There was water leaking in many of the bathrooms. They hadn't been cleaned, it was filthy. There were dogs in the towers. It was terrible."
He said some of the ground floor rooms had been "effectively flooded" during heavy rain and were covered in m&d.
New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie has suggested the Games might even have to be cancelled.
He told New Zealand commercial radio on Tuesday: "If the village is not ready and athletes can't come, obviously the implications of that are that it's not going to happen.
"It's pretty grim really and certainly disappointing when you consider the amount of time they had to prepare."
New Zealand, Scotland, Canada and Northern Ireland have demanded their teams be put up in hotels if their accommodation is not ready.
Commonwealth Games England has called for "urgent" work on the facilities, raising concerns about "plumbing, electrical and other operational details".
Security fear
To add to the concerns, an elevated walkway at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium collapsed on Tuesday, injuring 23 construction workers, five seriously.
It is not clear what caused the collapse of the walkway, which was being built to link a car park to the arena, where the Games opening ceremony is to take place.
Mr Bhanot said the collapse was unfortunate, but would not affect the Games.
Security concerns surrounding the Games were heightened on the weekend, when gunmen shot and wounded two tourists near Delhi's Jama Masjid, one of India's biggest mosques.
It prompted Australia's world discus champion Dani Samuel to pull out of the Games, with her management saying she was "extremely stressed" by the incident.
"The situation in Delhi has been bothering her for some time... But the events over the weekend made it real," her manager Hayden Knowles told the Australian Associated Press.
The BBC's Mark Dummett in Delhi says the Indian government had hoped that hosting the Commonwealth Games would highlight the country's strengths.
But many Indians now worry that the opposite has happened, says our correspondent, and that the country's weaknesses have been very publicly exposed by the many problems, delays and allegations of mismanagement in the build up to the Games.
Commonwealth Games: India vows to fix Delhi village
Senior officials in Delhi have insisted that the Indian capital will be ready to host the Commonwealth Games.
The comments come after the athletes' accommodation was criticised and branded as unfit for human habitation.
International delegates have said the facilities are filthy and unhygienic, just days before athletes arrive.
A senior official said Westerners had "different standards" of hygiene, but that the site was being thoroughly cleaned before the opening.
Delegates who visited the tower blocks where athletes will live during the games had described them as filthy, with rubble lying in doorways, dogs inside the buildings, toilets not working and excrement "in places it shouldn't be".
Speaking at a news conference in Delhi, Lalit Bhanot, secretary general of the Delhi organising committee, said the authorities understood the concerns shown by some member countries and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).
But he suggested that the complaints could be due to "cultural differences".
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
Clearly, the 'Indian way' hasn't worked - and the Games are turning out to be India's bonfire of vanities”
"Everyone has different standards about cleanliness. The Westerners have different standards, we have different standards," he said.
just because ah neh live in shit, they expect the rest of the world to live in shit
Mr Bhanot said the situation was "under control" and that he was "sure and confident" that cleaning in the residential areas would be complete by the time teams start arriving on 23 September.
He said he had visited many athletes' villages over the years and had never known one of such high quality.
"This is a world-class village, probably one of the best ever," he said.
even up to now, they claim their village the world best, ah neh you are a disgrace to homo sapien
'Shocked'
Mr Bhanot's strong defence comes after Commonwealth Games Federation President Michael Fennell said he had written to India's cabinet secretary urging immediate action over the conditions in the village.
Mr Fennell said officials of teams set to take part in the games had been impressed with the international zone and main dining area, but "shocked" by the state of the accommodation itself.
Advertisement
The overhead bridge was to connect the car park with the main stadium
"The village is the cornerstone of any Games and the athletes deserve the best possible environment to prepare for their competition," he said.
There were also reports in the Indian media that only 18 of 34 residential towers at the village have been completed.
Chris Jenkins, chef de mission for the Welsh Commonwealth team, told the BBC there had been "major snagging issues" in the facilities.
"There was water leaking in many of the bathrooms. They hadn't been cleaned, it was filthy. There were dogs in the towers. It was terrible."
He said some of the ground floor rooms had been "effectively flooded" during heavy rain and were covered in m&d.
New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie has suggested the Games might even have to be cancelled.
He told New Zealand commercial radio on Tuesday: "If the village is not ready and athletes can't come, obviously the implications of that are that it's not going to happen.
"It's pretty grim really and certainly disappointing when you consider the amount of time they had to prepare."
New Zealand, Scotland, Canada and Northern Ireland have demanded their teams be put up in hotels if their accommodation is not ready.
Commonwealth Games England has called for "urgent" work on the facilities, raising concerns about "plumbing, electrical and other operational details".
Security fear
To add to the concerns, an elevated walkway at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium collapsed on Tuesday, injuring 23 construction workers, five seriously.
It is not clear what caused the collapse of the walkway, which was being built to link a car park to the arena, where the Games opening ceremony is to take place.
Mr Bhanot said the collapse was unfortunate, but would not affect the Games.
Security concerns surrounding the Games were heightened on the weekend, when gunmen shot and wounded two tourists near Delhi's Jama Masjid, one of India's biggest mosques.
It prompted Australia's world discus champion Dani Samuel to pull out of the Games, with her management saying she was "extremely stressed" by the incident.
"The situation in Delhi has been bothering her for some time... But the events over the weekend made it real," her manager Hayden Knowles told the Australian Associated Press.
The BBC's Mark Dummett in Delhi says the Indian government had hoped that hosting the Commonwealth Games would highlight the country's strengths.
But many Indians now worry that the opposite has happened, says our correspondent, and that the country's weaknesses have been very publicly exposed by the many problems, delays and allegations of mismanagement in the build up to the Games.
Clearly, the 'Indian way' hasn't worked
Clearly, the 'Indian way' hasn't worked - and the Games are turning out to be India's bonfire of vanities
Are the Delhi Games doomed?
Are the Delhi Commonwealth Games doomed? After creaky stadiums, leaky pools and allegations of dodgy deals come complaints from visiting teams that the athletes' village on the outskirts of the capital is filthy and "unfit for human habitation". Apparently more than half of the 34 residential towers at the village are still far from complete; and a quarter of the rooms for one of the visiting teams are flooded.
This is the same village that Delhi organising committee chief Suresh Kalmadi had praised recently as better than the one at the Beijing Olympics.... Except, critics say, the toilets in Delhi are dirty and the rooms waterlogged and stacked with debris, among other problems.
Critics say the Delhi Games village - luxury apartment homes which are to be sold for upwards of 20 million rupees each - represents all that is wrong with India. Officials have ignored protests that the site is on a flood plain in a zone more prone to earthquakes than other parts of the capital, environmentalists say. To make matters worse the Yamuna river is clogged with monsoon rains and areas nearby are a breeding ground for mosquitoes. But the authorities don't appear to care.
What has happened to the Games village comes as no surprise to most Indians. Delhi has a reputation for badly constructed, leaky buildings as developers collude with authorities to cut corners and compromise on quality. It is also possibly India's most corrupt city. The current row comes as no surprise when you consider the fact that work on building the stadiums and most other infrastructure has gone down to the wire and become a shoddy race against time. All this while smug authorities told the people that all was well, and things would be fine. "It's the Indian way of doing things, which the West doesn't understand," was a common refrain. Clearly, the "Indian way" hasn't worked - and the Games are turning out to be India's bonfire of vanities.
As I write this comes the news that a bridge near the showpiece Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium - where the inaugural and closing ceremonies will be held - has collapsed, critically injuring a number of workers. This, after scores of workers have already died during the construction. What next? How much worse can it get?
Clearly, the 'Indian way' hasn't worked - and the Games are turning out to be India's bonfire of vanities
Are the Delhi Games doomed?
Are the Delhi Commonwealth Games doomed? After creaky stadiums, leaky pools and allegations of dodgy deals come complaints from visiting teams that the athletes' village on the outskirts of the capital is filthy and "unfit for human habitation". Apparently more than half of the 34 residential towers at the village are still far from complete; and a quarter of the rooms for one of the visiting teams are flooded.
This is the same village that Delhi organising committee chief Suresh Kalmadi had praised recently as better than the one at the Beijing Olympics.... Except, critics say, the toilets in Delhi are dirty and the rooms waterlogged and stacked with debris, among other problems.
Critics say the Delhi Games village - luxury apartment homes which are to be sold for upwards of 20 million rupees each - represents all that is wrong with India. Officials have ignored protests that the site is on a flood plain in a zone more prone to earthquakes than other parts of the capital, environmentalists say. To make matters worse the Yamuna river is clogged with monsoon rains and areas nearby are a breeding ground for mosquitoes. But the authorities don't appear to care.
What has happened to the Games village comes as no surprise to most Indians. Delhi has a reputation for badly constructed, leaky buildings as developers collude with authorities to cut corners and compromise on quality. It is also possibly India's most corrupt city. The current row comes as no surprise when you consider the fact that work on building the stadiums and most other infrastructure has gone down to the wire and become a shoddy race against time. All this while smug authorities told the people that all was well, and things would be fine. "It's the Indian way of doing things, which the West doesn't understand," was a common refrain. Clearly, the "Indian way" hasn't worked - and the Games are turning out to be India's bonfire of vanities.
As I write this comes the news that a bridge near the showpiece Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium - where the inaugural and closing ceremonies will be held - has collapsed, critically injuring a number of workers. This, after scores of workers have already died during the construction. What next? How much worse can it get?
Freakin Indians make a mess of everything yet they are welcome with open arms by Sinkiepoor and placed in lofty management positions where they can cause maximum damage.
The Chinese are bad enough but the Indians are even worse! The scary thing is that these two nationalities combined make up one third of the world population. No wonder this planet is such a mess.
The Chinese are bad enough but the Indians are even worse! The scary thing is that these two nationalities combined make up one third of the world population. No wonder this planet is such a mess.
We know this very well, we have a half an ah neh managing a International Game held in SINgapore recently, only difference is it did commence, as for the piece of cake...hmmm
The Indians should pay the half an ah neh to be a consultant.....
i think india want top western athletes to quit, so the ah neh have medals
Commonwealth Games: More Australian athletes 'may quit'
The number of workers will also be increased to ensure conditions are improved
Further doubts have been cast over next month's Delhi Commonwealth Games after two athletes withdrew and others postponed travelling to the event.
More than 40 officials and athletes from the Scottish team have delayed their flight to Delhi.
An Australian discus champion and an English triple jumper cancelled on Tuesday, citing security concerns.
New Zealand's PM said he would support any of his country's athletes who did not attend.
It comes after a day after Commonwealth Games Federation officials severely criticised the state of the athletes' accommodation in Delhi.
Also on Tuesday, a foot bridge under construction near the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main Games venue, collapsed, injuring 27 workers, five seriously.
It was the latest setback to an event that has been plagued by construction delays, allegations of corruption and a dengue fever outbreak in the Indian capital.
Australia's Sports Minister Mark Arbib said more Australian athletes might follow world discus champion Dani Samuels, who said she would not attend because of health and safety concerns.
Security fears were heightened at the weekend when two tourists were wounded by gunmen on a motorcycle near the Jama Masjid mosque in the capital.
Meanwhile, a decision about the England team's participation in the Games will be made in the next 48 hours.
On Tuesday, English world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu withdrew from the event, also citing security concerns.
Two other members of the England team - Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu and 1,500m runner Lisa Dobriskey - pulled out, blaming injury worries.
The head of England's Commonwealth Games team, Craig Hunter, has warned that "time is beginning to run out" for organisers.
Advertisement
Sanjoy Majumder explains the problems with the athletes' village
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told reporters on Wednesday that any cancellation of the Games could be disastrous for the future of the event and for India's world standing.
But he added: "If an individual athlete decides they don't want to go for their own reasons, I would support them because I think, in the end, they have to make their own decision on whether they feel comfortable or not with the risks involved."
The head of New Zealand's Commonwealth Games team, Dave Currie, earlier warned that if the arrivals of the athletes had to be pushed back, it could ultimately result in the competition being cancelled.
'Under control'
Michael Fennell, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said on Tuesday that advance teams had been shocked by what they had seen at the athletes' village, where toilets were filthy and flats unfinished.
The Indian government has convened a high-level meeting to review the situation.
Delhi Lt-Governor Tejinder Khanna has reportedly been told by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to personally oversee the work and submit a status report everyday.
The secretary general of the organising committee, Lalit Bhanot, earlier said the authorities understood the concerns shown by some member countries and the Commonwealth Games Federation.
But he suggested that the complaints could be due to "cultural differences".
"Everyone has different standards about cleanliness. The Westerners have different standards, we have different standards," he said.
Officials from the Ministry of Sports promised last year that the village would be ready in March 2010. Built alongside the Yamuna River in the east of Delhi, it consists of a series of blocks of flats to house about 7,000 athletes and their families, a 2,300-seat cafeteria, and practice areas
Commonwealth Games: More Australian athletes 'may quit'
The number of workers will also be increased to ensure conditions are improved
Further doubts have been cast over next month's Delhi Commonwealth Games after two athletes withdrew and others postponed travelling to the event.
More than 40 officials and athletes from the Scottish team have delayed their flight to Delhi.
An Australian discus champion and an English triple jumper cancelled on Tuesday, citing security concerns.
New Zealand's PM said he would support any of his country's athletes who did not attend.
It comes after a day after Commonwealth Games Federation officials severely criticised the state of the athletes' accommodation in Delhi.
Also on Tuesday, a foot bridge under construction near the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main Games venue, collapsed, injuring 27 workers, five seriously.
It was the latest setback to an event that has been plagued by construction delays, allegations of corruption and a dengue fever outbreak in the Indian capital.
Australia's Sports Minister Mark Arbib said more Australian athletes might follow world discus champion Dani Samuels, who said she would not attend because of health and safety concerns.
Security fears were heightened at the weekend when two tourists were wounded by gunmen on a motorcycle near the Jama Masjid mosque in the capital.
Meanwhile, a decision about the England team's participation in the Games will be made in the next 48 hours.
On Tuesday, English world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu withdrew from the event, also citing security concerns.
Two other members of the England team - Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu and 1,500m runner Lisa Dobriskey - pulled out, blaming injury worries.
The head of England's Commonwealth Games team, Craig Hunter, has warned that "time is beginning to run out" for organisers.
Advertisement
Sanjoy Majumder explains the problems with the athletes' village
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told reporters on Wednesday that any cancellation of the Games could be disastrous for the future of the event and for India's world standing.
But he added: "If an individual athlete decides they don't want to go for their own reasons, I would support them because I think, in the end, they have to make their own decision on whether they feel comfortable or not with the risks involved."
The head of New Zealand's Commonwealth Games team, Dave Currie, earlier warned that if the arrivals of the athletes had to be pushed back, it could ultimately result in the competition being cancelled.
'Under control'
Michael Fennell, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said on Tuesday that advance teams had been shocked by what they had seen at the athletes' village, where toilets were filthy and flats unfinished.
The Indian government has convened a high-level meeting to review the situation.
Delhi Lt-Governor Tejinder Khanna has reportedly been told by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to personally oversee the work and submit a status report everyday.
The secretary general of the organising committee, Lalit Bhanot, earlier said the authorities understood the concerns shown by some member countries and the Commonwealth Games Federation.
But he suggested that the complaints could be due to "cultural differences".
"Everyone has different standards about cleanliness. The Westerners have different standards, we have different standards," he said.
Officials from the Ministry of Sports promised last year that the village would be ready in March 2010. Built alongside the Yamuna River in the east of Delhi, it consists of a series of blocks of flats to house about 7,000 athletes and their families, a 2,300-seat cafeteria, and practice areas
even black dun want to go
Idowu, 31, has not pulled out because of any injury problem, the BBC understands.
On his Twitter feed he said: "Sorry people, but I have children to think about. My safety is more important to them than a medal.
"I understand people will be disappointed that I will not be competing. I am disappointed.
"If you know me as an athlete you will know these games mean a lot to me. It's the champs in which I won my first medal.
"All the press about bridges collapsing and 23+ people being hurt, floods and inhabitable living conditions, getting my daughter ready for school this morning and seeing all of that put me off. I can't afford to risk my safety in the slightest."
Idowu, 31, has not pulled out because of any injury problem, the BBC understands.
On his Twitter feed he said: "Sorry people, but I have children to think about. My safety is more important to them than a medal.
"I understand people will be disappointed that I will not be competing. I am disappointed.
"If you know me as an athlete you will know these games mean a lot to me. It's the champs in which I won my first medal.
"All the press about bridges collapsing and 23+ people being hurt, floods and inhabitable living conditions, getting my daughter ready for school this morning and seeing all of that put me off. I can't afford to risk my safety in the slightest."
indian shit everywhere in althete village, the one better than 2008 beijing
Commonwealth Games risk damage with delay
There is no doubt in my mind that Mike Hooper, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CWGF), wasn't exaggerating when he described the athletes' village in Delhi as a "major, significant problem".
He also doesn't think it's insurmountable, as long as massive resources are mobilised immediately to put things right.
The promise made by the organisers that Delhi would have the best athletes' village ever experienced at a Commonwealth Games is beginning to sound like an empty boast.
At the time of writing, Craig Hunter, the chef de mission of the England team, is trying to get his colleagues past security so they can continue the cleaning job they started themselves after seeing the state of their accommodation on arrival.
As though they don't have better things to do! And they're the lucky ones; New Zealand and Scotland demanded their allocated accommodation be moved, describing it as "unsafe and unfit for human habitation".
From the description of the piles of rubble, dust, plumbing and electrics not working, and human waste where it shouldn't have been, they weren't just being precious.
It's not just an epic clean-up that's required either. When the monsoons flared again, the England team made the unwelcome discovery that about quarter of their accommodation wasn't watertight.
I suspect that might take more than some bleach and a scrubbing brush to rectify.
There may be a temporary fix in moving people into accommodation that has been sorted out but that won't work unless the whole job's a good 'un within the next few days.
Not all the athletes arrive at once, which might be the competition's saving grace, while others will follow Aussie world champion discus thrower Dani Samuel's lead and actually decide not to bother at all, on the balance of what they've heard over the last few days.
While most voices continue to accentuate the positive, the ultimate negative is still lurking under the surface - the very prospect that the Games can't be staged at all.
I think that's unlikely at this point but it won't take much to tip things over. The leaders of the big teams - England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada - will be talking to each other, comparing notes, wondering how we got to this situation.
Each will be acutely aware that the Games have to fight for their place on the sporting calendar and for their relevance in the minds of the athletes, the international federations, the media, sponsors and the public.
I believe what is happening in Delhi weakens the CWGF's hand in that respect.
Reputational damage has been done, the extent of which remains to be seen, and the implications for Glasgow as hosts of 2014 are yet to be fully understood.
Commonwealth Games risk damage with delay
There is no doubt in my mind that Mike Hooper, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CWGF), wasn't exaggerating when he described the athletes' village in Delhi as a "major, significant problem".
He also doesn't think it's insurmountable, as long as massive resources are mobilised immediately to put things right.
The promise made by the organisers that Delhi would have the best athletes' village ever experienced at a Commonwealth Games is beginning to sound like an empty boast.
At the time of writing, Craig Hunter, the chef de mission of the England team, is trying to get his colleagues past security so they can continue the cleaning job they started themselves after seeing the state of their accommodation on arrival.
As though they don't have better things to do! And they're the lucky ones; New Zealand and Scotland demanded their allocated accommodation be moved, describing it as "unsafe and unfit for human habitation".
From the description of the piles of rubble, dust, plumbing and electrics not working, and human waste where it shouldn't have been, they weren't just being precious.
It's not just an epic clean-up that's required either. When the monsoons flared again, the England team made the unwelcome discovery that about quarter of their accommodation wasn't watertight.
I suspect that might take more than some bleach and a scrubbing brush to rectify.
There may be a temporary fix in moving people into accommodation that has been sorted out but that won't work unless the whole job's a good 'un within the next few days.
Not all the athletes arrive at once, which might be the competition's saving grace, while others will follow Aussie world champion discus thrower Dani Samuel's lead and actually decide not to bother at all, on the balance of what they've heard over the last few days.
While most voices continue to accentuate the positive, the ultimate negative is still lurking under the surface - the very prospect that the Games can't be staged at all.
I think that's unlikely at this point but it won't take much to tip things over. The leaders of the big teams - England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada - will be talking to each other, comparing notes, wondering how we got to this situation.
Each will be acutely aware that the Games have to fight for their place on the sporting calendar and for their relevance in the minds of the athletes, the international federations, the media, sponsors and the public.
I believe what is happening in Delhi weakens the CWGF's hand in that respect.
Reputational damage has been done, the extent of which remains to be seen, and the implications for Glasgow as hosts of 2014 are yet to be fully understood.
We know this very well, we have a half an ah neh managing a International Game held in SINgapore recently, only difference is it did commence, as for the piece of cake...hmmm
The Indians should pay the half an ah neh to be a consultant.....
He'd be dumped into the Indian Ocean to feed Sri Lankan crabs if he goes to India and advises upping the budget four-fold.
this is what they want to show you
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OKsxhbYsKaM?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OKsxhbYsKaM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
NEW DELHI - Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell thinks the Athletes Village is "seriously compromised" just two days before it opens to athletes arriving for the Oct. 3-14 New Delhi Games.
Fennell issued a statement Tuesday saying the village, which opens to athletes on Thursday, has been a concern since federation officials visited the residential zone on Sept. 15, and he'd written to the Indian government urging immediate action because "many issues remain unresolved."
"The Village is the cornerstone of any Games and the athletes deserve the best possible environment to prepare for their competition," Fennell said.
Fennell said the advance parties from the international Commonwealth Games Associations had been impressed with the international zone and main dining areas, "however, the condition of the residential zone has shocked the majority of CGAs that are in Delhi."
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OKsxhbYsKaM?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OKsxhbYsKaM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
NEW DELHI - Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell thinks the Athletes Village is "seriously compromised" just two days before it opens to athletes arriving for the Oct. 3-14 New Delhi Games.
Fennell issued a statement Tuesday saying the village, which opens to athletes on Thursday, has been a concern since federation officials visited the residential zone on Sept. 15, and he'd written to the Indian government urging immediate action because "many issues remain unresolved."
"The Village is the cornerstone of any Games and the athletes deserve the best possible environment to prepare for their competition," Fennell said.
Fennell said the advance parties from the international Commonwealth Games Associations had been impressed with the international zone and main dining areas, "however, the condition of the residential zone has shocked the majority of CGAs that are in Delhi."
Re: this is what they want to show you
It has been reported in various news reports that 2 Taiwan tourists were shot by gunmen in Delhi.
But I've been watching the Taiwan news on TV and it was reported that the 2 people shot were actually cameramen who were there to tape an episode of the variety program "Shi Shang Wan Jia", which is a tv program introducing food from Taiwan and other parts of the world. The host of the program is this young lady called "Sa Sa", whom some of you may know from watching Taiwan variety programs. She and the rest of the crew were unhurt, and she and one of the cameramen just returned to Taiwan today. Their co-worker is still in a Delhi hospital.
It's shocking that the India press couldn't even get their facts right, and even more shocking that this happened to a crew of foreigners who were there to promote their country, and not simply "tourists".
It has been reported in various news reports that 2 Taiwan tourists were shot by gunmen in Delhi.
But I've been watching the Taiwan news on TV and it was reported that the 2 people shot were actually cameramen who were there to tape an episode of the variety program "Shi Shang Wan Jia", which is a tv program introducing food from Taiwan and other parts of the world. The host of the program is this young lady called "Sa Sa", whom some of you may know from watching Taiwan variety programs. She and the rest of the crew were unhurt, and she and one of the cameramen just returned to Taiwan today. Their co-worker is still in a Delhi hospital.
It's shocking that the India press couldn't even get their facts right, and even more shocking that this happened to a crew of foreigners who were there to promote their country, and not simply "tourists".
It was meant to be Delhi's moment of glory.
By staging the Commonwealth Games successfully in its capital, India wanted to announce to the world that it was an emerging superpower.
But the run-up to the Games has been a huge public relations disaster.
Delhi was told it would be "world-class" by 2010.
But the Games start in just over a month and the city is nowhere near ready.
Deadlines missed
The Games village where athletes and officials are going to stay still needs lots of work.
Many of the stadiums are still being renovated. At least one - Shivaji Stadium - is no longer a venue because the authorities admitted it would not be ready in time.
Even ticket sales have been delayed.
And the city looks as if it has been bashed up physically - many roads are dug up, others have massive craters and potholes.
Pavements - which were broken up with the promise that new ones would be laid soon - are still unwalkable.
Chief Minister Sheila Dixit (left) is now seeking divine intervention In many areas, shops, restaurants and businesses complain they are losing out on trade.
And unusually heavy monsoon rains have further delayed the work, adding to the misery.
The deadline for Delhi to be Games-ready was initially 31 March. After several extensions - first to 30 June, then to 31 July, then 31 August - it is now mid-September.
The authorities, however, insist that the Games will be a resounding success and everything will be in place when the curtain goes up on 3 October.
But as deadline after deadline falls by the wayside, people in Delhi seem to be losing patience.
"The Games were awarded in 2003, so work should have been completed by 2008. That would have given them two years to test the facilities," says Delhi-based architect and author Gautam Bhatia.
"Anywhere else, even a delay of a day or two would have been taken seriously, but I'm quite amazed by the casual attitude of the officials here."
Worth it?
A whopping $2.35bn (£1.5bn) is being spent on the Games but the city has been "a dismal showcase" for it, he says.
"The quality of a lot of the work is second-rate. Millions of dollars have been spent on each stadium, but if you look at the quality and the workmanship, you wonder whether it's worth it.
"We have to see the amount we spent and what we got for it," he says.
Many projects are way behind schedule The answer to that many would say is - not much.
Each day brings with it fresh reports of corruption and problems at newly-renovated stadiums and other sports facilities.
Recent floods at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium damaged parts of the athletics track, sending workers scurrying back in to fix it.
"What are we getting for the cost?" asks Rajesh Kalra, editor-in-chief of the Times of India website.
"Leaking roofs, shoddy finish, already crumbling concrete, faulty drainage, inferior seats and inadequate lighting that needs to be changed to allow for high-definition telecast."
Mr Kalra says the taxpayer is being defrauded in the name of the Games: "What should have cost X is costing 10X, and what should last years will last a fraction."
'National shame'
There appears little popular support for the Games. Some have even called for the event to be abandoned.
"The goal of portraying Delhi as a world-class city and an international sports destination has led the Indian government to lose sight of its priorities and legal and moral commitments to its people," says Miloon Kothari, former UN special rapporteur on adequate housing, who heads a group called the Housing and Land Rights Network.
A recent report by his group says the high expenses of the Games are likely to create "a negative financial legacy for the country".
The Games budget has risen from an initial projection of $405m to $2.35bn today. Experts say when the final expenses on infrastructure, security and other projects are tallied it will be much more, perhaps as high as $15bn.
Mr Kothari wants the Games to be called off Mr Kothari questions the rationale behind spending so much money on a one-off sporting event.
"When one in three Indians lives below the poverty line and 40% of the hungry live in India, when 46% of India's children and 55% of women are malnourished, does spending billions of dollars on a 12-day sports event build national pride or is it a matter of national shame?" he asks.
The Games were meant to instil a sense of pride in Delhi, but many fed-up citizens are threatening to leave the city or take no part in the event.
Even former sports minister Mani Shankar Aiyar says the Games are "evil" and he is "getting the hell out of the country" to avoid them.
College student Aditya Narayan says the event is a "sham" and blames Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit.
"She said it would be the best the world has seen. But she has made a joke of our country."
With time fast running out, Mrs Dixit is seeking divine intervention.
"It appears that Lord Indra [the rain god] is unhappy with us," she said at the weekend.
"I will appeal to him to bring some sunshine. If the rain stops and sun comes out, we will be able to complete the work by 10-15 September. Otherwise we will have to extend the deadline.
"By the grace of god, we will be able to finish everything by 3 October."
If that does not happen, Delhi and India could be facing major embarrassment.
By staging the Commonwealth Games successfully in its capital, India wanted to announce to the world that it was an emerging superpower.
But the run-up to the Games has been a huge public relations disaster.
Delhi was told it would be "world-class" by 2010.
But the Games start in just over a month and the city is nowhere near ready.
Deadlines missed
The Games village where athletes and officials are going to stay still needs lots of work.
Many of the stadiums are still being renovated. At least one - Shivaji Stadium - is no longer a venue because the authorities admitted it would not be ready in time.
Even ticket sales have been delayed.
And the city looks as if it has been bashed up physically - many roads are dug up, others have massive craters and potholes.
Pavements - which were broken up with the promise that new ones would be laid soon - are still unwalkable.
Chief Minister Sheila Dixit (left) is now seeking divine intervention In many areas, shops, restaurants and businesses complain they are losing out on trade.
And unusually heavy monsoon rains have further delayed the work, adding to the misery.
The deadline for Delhi to be Games-ready was initially 31 March. After several extensions - first to 30 June, then to 31 July, then 31 August - it is now mid-September.
The authorities, however, insist that the Games will be a resounding success and everything will be in place when the curtain goes up on 3 October.
But as deadline after deadline falls by the wayside, people in Delhi seem to be losing patience.
"The Games were awarded in 2003, so work should have been completed by 2008. That would have given them two years to test the facilities," says Delhi-based architect and author Gautam Bhatia.
"Anywhere else, even a delay of a day or two would have been taken seriously, but I'm quite amazed by the casual attitude of the officials here."
Worth it?
A whopping $2.35bn (£1.5bn) is being spent on the Games but the city has been "a dismal showcase" for it, he says.
"The quality of a lot of the work is second-rate. Millions of dollars have been spent on each stadium, but if you look at the quality and the workmanship, you wonder whether it's worth it.
"We have to see the amount we spent and what we got for it," he says.
Many projects are way behind schedule The answer to that many would say is - not much.
Each day brings with it fresh reports of corruption and problems at newly-renovated stadiums and other sports facilities.
Recent floods at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium damaged parts of the athletics track, sending workers scurrying back in to fix it.
"What are we getting for the cost?" asks Rajesh Kalra, editor-in-chief of the Times of India website.
"Leaking roofs, shoddy finish, already crumbling concrete, faulty drainage, inferior seats and inadequate lighting that needs to be changed to allow for high-definition telecast."
Mr Kalra says the taxpayer is being defrauded in the name of the Games: "What should have cost X is costing 10X, and what should last years will last a fraction."
'National shame'
There appears little popular support for the Games. Some have even called for the event to be abandoned.
"The goal of portraying Delhi as a world-class city and an international sports destination has led the Indian government to lose sight of its priorities and legal and moral commitments to its people," says Miloon Kothari, former UN special rapporteur on adequate housing, who heads a group called the Housing and Land Rights Network.
A recent report by his group says the high expenses of the Games are likely to create "a negative financial legacy for the country".
The Games budget has risen from an initial projection of $405m to $2.35bn today. Experts say when the final expenses on infrastructure, security and other projects are tallied it will be much more, perhaps as high as $15bn.
Mr Kothari wants the Games to be called off Mr Kothari questions the rationale behind spending so much money on a one-off sporting event.
"When one in three Indians lives below the poverty line and 40% of the hungry live in India, when 46% of India's children and 55% of women are malnourished, does spending billions of dollars on a 12-day sports event build national pride or is it a matter of national shame?" he asks.
The Games were meant to instil a sense of pride in Delhi, but many fed-up citizens are threatening to leave the city or take no part in the event.
Even former sports minister Mani Shankar Aiyar says the Games are "evil" and he is "getting the hell out of the country" to avoid them.
College student Aditya Narayan says the event is a "sham" and blames Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit.
"She said it would be the best the world has seen. But she has made a joke of our country."
With time fast running out, Mrs Dixit is seeking divine intervention.
"It appears that Lord Indra [the rain god] is unhappy with us," she said at the weekend.
"I will appeal to him to bring some sunshine. If the rain stops and sun comes out, we will be able to complete the work by 10-15 September. Otherwise we will have to extend the deadline.
"By the grace of god, we will be able to finish everything by 3 October."
If that does not happen, Delhi and India could be facing major embarrassment.
So, India does have its own Vivi Bala after all.
you mean this news
食尚玩家》中彈攝影 1人今晨返國2010年09月22日蘋果日報 新聞快訊 列印 轉寄(0) 引用(0) 點閱(4929) 放大圖片
上一張 1 / 1 下一張 《食尚玩家》主持人莎莎在這次槍擊案被讚勇敢。
【陳郁仁、劉曉君╱台北報導】外交部副發言人章計平昨表示，在印度遭槍擊的TVBS《食尚玩家》攝影師古澤為傷勢較輕，昨晚從印度搭機、今早返台；腰部中彈的柯強已動完手術取出子彈，傷勢復原比預期良好，但當地醫院建議住院觀察3日，等靜養穩定出院後，我代表處會安排他返國。
柯強已轉普通病房
古澤為昨接受TVBS《Money我最大》電話專訪，回憶被槍擊經過：「剛開始以為被石頭打到，但是衝擊力太大，就倒下來，當時滿臉是血，也看不清楚現場狀況，躺在巴士走道時，腦裡瞬間掠過很多東西，有家人、朋友、還有一些還沒完成的事，當時想說睡著就不會再醒了吧？」
古澤為昨讚美主持人莎莎：「她很堅強！當時柯強中彈，聽到莎莎一直叫他呼吸，打他巴掌，有警察上車說會有救護車來，但是柯強已經很嚴重，就叫司機直接開往醫院。」
柯強頭部有部分頭髮被剃掉，傷口已經縫好，只是要注意未來是否有腦震盪的情形。他已從加護病房轉普通病房，T台盼下周一外交部能送他返台。
食尚玩家》中彈攝影 1人今晨返國2010年09月22日蘋果日報 新聞快訊 列印 轉寄(0) 引用(0) 點閱(4929) 放大圖片
上一張 1 / 1 下一張 《食尚玩家》主持人莎莎在這次槍擊案被讚勇敢。
【陳郁仁、劉曉君╱台北報導】外交部副發言人章計平昨表示，在印度遭槍擊的TVBS《食尚玩家》攝影師古澤為傷勢較輕，昨晚從印度搭機、今早返台；腰部中彈的柯強已動完手術取出子彈，傷勢復原比預期良好，但當地醫院建議住院觀察3日，等靜養穩定出院後，我代表處會安排他返國。
柯強已轉普通病房
古澤為昨接受TVBS《Money我最大》電話專訪，回憶被槍擊經過：「剛開始以為被石頭打到，但是衝擊力太大，就倒下來，當時滿臉是血，也看不清楚現場狀況，躺在巴士走道時，腦裡瞬間掠過很多東西，有家人、朋友、還有一些還沒完成的事，當時想說睡著就不會再醒了吧？」
古澤為昨讚美主持人莎莎：「她很堅強！當時柯強中彈，聽到莎莎一直叫他呼吸，打他巴掌，有警察上車說會有救護車來，但是柯強已經很嚴重，就叫司機直接開往醫院。」
柯強頭部有部分頭髮被剃掉，傷口已經縫好，只是要注意未來是否有腦震盪的情形。他已從加護病房轉普通病房，T台盼下周一外交部能送他返台。
Yucks .... heard from the news that the workers are randomly shitting at the complex especially the athletes bedrooms .....
【綜合報導】印度首都新德里著名景點賈瑪（Jama Masjid）清真寺，昨天驚傳槍擊事件，兩名騎車歹徒開槍亂掃，正好到當地取景的《食尚玩家》節目兩名工作人員不幸中彈，所幸送醫後傷勢穩定，同行的節目主持人莎莎平安無事。恐怖組織「印度聖戰者」出面宣稱犯案，印度官方宣布新德里進入最高警戒狀態。
據目擊者與警方描述，上午10時30分（台灣時間下午1時），兩名歹徒乘摩托車，來到清真寺，先向清真寺射擊，再向一輛小巴士開槍。正在下車的TVBS娛樂台《食尚玩家》兩名攝影師隨即中彈倒地。攝影師柯強腹部中彈，傷勢較嚴重；另一攝影師古澤為只是後腦勺擦傷。經送醫，柯強已取出子彈，傷勢穩定。
取出子彈兩人無危險
TVBS攝影師柯強（左）腹部中彈，古澤為（右）則頭部擦傷，兩人子彈取出後狀況穩定。翻攝網路
「印度聖戰者」（India Mujahideen）隨後透過媒體宣稱犯案，警告要為接下來印度舉辦的大英國協運動會帶來更多「驚喜」。該組織據信是南亞最大伊斯蘭恐怖組織「虔誠軍」的外圍團體，槍擊現場距警察局只有幾公尺，更顯歹徒大膽。但法新社報導，當地警方質疑聲明的真偽，因犯案手法「很不專業」，懷疑是當地黑幫為了給警察難看故意犯案。
TVBS發言人張維銘表示，《食尚玩家》這次有6人飛印度，17日出發，18日抵達，昨到賈瑪清真寺出外景時，一行人才剛下車，就聽到兩聲槍響，攝影師古澤為與柯強中彈倒地，被緊急送往當地醫院急救，古澤為頭部擦傷，經治療無大礙，柯強腹部中彈，已動手術取出子彈，沒有生命危險，兩人都是TVBS員工，各有7年與14年資歷。
目擊一切的莎莎餘悸猶存，昨傍晚打電話回台報平安，所屬「華研」經紀部佳臻說：「她先打給媽媽，再打回公司，說要等攝影師情況比較好時再一起回台，聲音聽來有受到驚嚇。」《食尚》製作人唐千代描述事發時：「忽然聽到砰砰聲音，我們全部人都往旁邊躲，後來才發現我們2攝影倒在地上。」事後我駐印度代表處到場了解，印度警方也派人對《食尚》人員保護，節目原定的錄影行程被迫取消。
印度發黃色旅遊警戒
藝人莎莎一行六人赴新德里取景，不料碰上恐怖攻擊。資料照片
外交部副發言人章計平說，印度政府已向我方表達歉意，願意提供一切協助，我方要求印度全力緝兇。印度警方透露這波攻擊，可能是仇視印度政府的激進份子隨機攻擊，要讓印度政府有事可忙。至於對印度的旅遊警戒，暫維持黃色旅遊警戒，提醒國人前往旅遊要注意自身安全。
取出彈頭
印度警官取下卡在小巴士車窗上的彈頭。法新社
同型槍枝
犯案的史登衝鋒槍是二次大戰的老槍。圖為同款槍枝。 翻攝網路
據目擊者與警方描述，上午10時30分（台灣時間下午1時），兩名歹徒乘摩托車，來到清真寺，先向清真寺射擊，再向一輛小巴士開槍。正在下車的TVBS娛樂台《食尚玩家》兩名攝影師隨即中彈倒地。攝影師柯強腹部中彈，傷勢較嚴重；另一攝影師古澤為只是後腦勺擦傷。經送醫，柯強已取出子彈，傷勢穩定。
取出子彈兩人無危險
TVBS攝影師柯強（左）腹部中彈，古澤為（右）則頭部擦傷，兩人子彈取出後狀況穩定。翻攝網路
「印度聖戰者」（India Mujahideen）隨後透過媒體宣稱犯案，警告要為接下來印度舉辦的大英國協運動會帶來更多「驚喜」。該組織據信是南亞最大伊斯蘭恐怖組織「虔誠軍」的外圍團體，槍擊現場距警察局只有幾公尺，更顯歹徒大膽。但法新社報導，當地警方質疑聲明的真偽，因犯案手法「很不專業」，懷疑是當地黑幫為了給警察難看故意犯案。
TVBS發言人張維銘表示，《食尚玩家》這次有6人飛印度，17日出發，18日抵達，昨到賈瑪清真寺出外景時，一行人才剛下車，就聽到兩聲槍響，攝影師古澤為與柯強中彈倒地，被緊急送往當地醫院急救，古澤為頭部擦傷，經治療無大礙，柯強腹部中彈，已動手術取出子彈，沒有生命危險，兩人都是TVBS員工，各有7年與14年資歷。
目擊一切的莎莎餘悸猶存，昨傍晚打電話回台報平安，所屬「華研」經紀部佳臻說：「她先打給媽媽，再打回公司，說要等攝影師情況比較好時再一起回台，聲音聽來有受到驚嚇。」《食尚》製作人唐千代描述事發時：「忽然聽到砰砰聲音，我們全部人都往旁邊躲，後來才發現我們2攝影倒在地上。」事後我駐印度代表處到場了解，印度警方也派人對《食尚》人員保護，節目原定的錄影行程被迫取消。
印度發黃色旅遊警戒
藝人莎莎一行六人赴新德里取景，不料碰上恐怖攻擊。資料照片
外交部副發言人章計平說，印度政府已向我方表達歉意，願意提供一切協助，我方要求印度全力緝兇。印度警方透露這波攻擊，可能是仇視印度政府的激進份子隨機攻擊，要讓印度政府有事可忙。至於對印度的旅遊警戒，暫維持黃色旅遊警戒，提醒國人前往旅遊要注意自身安全。
取出彈頭
印度警官取下卡在小巴士車窗上的彈頭。法新社
同型槍枝
犯案的史登衝鋒槍是二次大戰的老槍。圖為同款槍枝。 翻攝網路
it cost more than sydney olympic. can you imagine that.
Similar threads
