Ebola Fear Touches Commonwealth Games-On the Scene

(ATR) A Sierra Leone cyclist reported to have absconded over ebola fears is located.

Reports on Friday said that the team chef de mission had reported Mohamed Tholley as missing just days after teammate Moses Sesay was tested for ebola. Sesay was later cleared of having the virus.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Glasgow 2014 spokesperson Jackie Brock Doyle confirmed she had talked to the chef de mission and the matter was now settled.

"The chef de mission knows where the cyclist is. He is not missing. He knows where he is," she said.

"The police are not involved; they released a statement last night saying they have not been asked to find him."

Some Sierra Leone athletes are apparently fearful of returning to their country because of an Ebola outbreak while they have been away.

However, Brock Doyle remained confident the team would stick to their departure schedule.

"The athletes’ village closes on Tuesday and will become a building site within a matter of hours," she explained. "I spoke to the chef de mission this morning. His plan to take his team to Sierra Leone on Tuesday remains in place; that’s the plan."

Rain Expected for Closing Ceremony

Ahead of the closing ceremony in Hampden Park on Sunday, director David Zolkwer says he has taken inclement weather into account when planning the event.

Despite warm weather for most of the Games, heavy rain is forecast for the final weekend. But Zolkwer, who was Project Director for the Athens 2004 ceremonies, was defiant that the show would go on.

"We’ve always known we’re working outdoors in Glasgow in the summer so we’re expecting rain and wind," he said. "So it is a resilient show, we knew it was always possible."

The show, titled ‘All Back to Ours’, will feature a "number of surprises" in a music festival format. One of the highlights of the show will be the appearance of popstar Kylie Minogue, whom organizers insisted was not being paid for attending.

Vindication for Pearson

Olympic hurdles champion Sally Pearson put a troubled week behind her to win gold in the 100m hurdles at Hampden Park on Friday.

The Australian had been embroiled in a bitter feud with head coach Eric Hollingsworth who was suspended and sent home this week for attacking her in an ill-advised statement.

The feud had been ongoing, but when Pearson stormed to victory to reclaim her Commonwealth gold in 12.67 seconds, the emotion was clear to see as she hugged fans, screamed, and jumped for joy around the track.

"I was his last supporter on the Australian team and he messed that uphimself," Pearson said about Hollingsworth. "That’s the most important thing, to get rid of the negativity that people have been having to bear for the last five years.

"When you cross the finish line and everything that you’ve planned for comes together, it’s just great.

"There’s happiness and excitement but the weight just comes off your shoulders and you can stop hearing your heartbeat all day every day, all night, then that’s just the best feeling in the world."

Saturday Action

On the penultimate day of the Games, there are more medals than any other day up for grabs. In total, 33 golds will be on offer including nine at Hampden Park where the athletics will finish. Diving, boxing, powerlifting and table tennis will also finish today.

All eyes will be on Usain Bolt at Hampden Park when he competes in the men’s 4x100m relay final after he and his teammates comfortably won their heat on Friday evening.

Reported in Glasgow by Christian Radnedge

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