Commonwealth Games Open
The first day of competition is underway in Delhi after opening ceremony Sunday night at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The glittering three-hour ceremony ran smoothly, belying the controversies over whether Delhi would be ready to host the games.
Prince Charles, appearing for Queen Elizabeth, officially declared the games open, the first in CWG history to be hosted in India.
"The people of India are delighted to host the 19th Commonwealth Games in this historic city of Delhi. It is a proud moment of all our countrymen," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Suresh Kalmadi, president of the organizing committee as well as the Indian Olympic Association, was jeered as he took the podium for his welcoming remarks. He’s been the target of complaints about the fitful preparations for the games.
But he won cheers when he declared: "Our dream is coming true and India's big moment is finally here. India is ready."
More than 5,000 athletes from 71 nations and territories will take part in a program that includes 17 sports and 278 gold medals. The CWG end Oct 14.
Reports on the open of the games bymedia around the world have all been sure to mention the heavy security in place in Delhi. Forces numbering more than 100,000 are assignedto keep the games free of harm.
IOC President Says Games Can Be Foundation of Olympic Bid
IOC President Jacques Rogge says successful Commonwealth Games could be a foundation for an Olympic bid from India.
Rogge, who is in Delhi for the open of the games, spoke to Times of India TV about a bid.
"There is still a difference between Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games. The size of the Olympic Games is bigger, there are more athletes and more sports," he says.
"It's more complicated organization but I think if the Commonwealth Games are a success, which I believe they would be, it's a very good foundation stone to think about the possible conduct of the traditional Games," Rogge says in the interview.
Indian sports leaders such as the IOA’s Kalmadi have flagged the idea of a 2020 bid.
Rogge says that India will also have to strengthen its sports performance if it is to seek the Olympics.
"It would be fantastic if India could improve its sporting performance," he said.
"You have one overriding sport which is cricket but we need more gold medals from the second most populous country in the world."
Written by Ed Hula.
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