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Diplomatic row atest woe to hit Delhi Games
Source: Agencies |
September 29, 2010, Wednesday
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A DIPLOMATIC feud is brewing amid the already existing chaos at the Commonwealth Games, this time involving Prince Charles and Indian President Pratibha Patil.
With Queen Elizabeth II skipping the New Delhi Games - the first Commonwealth Games she's missed since 1966 - the prince is scheduled to speak on his mother's behalf at Sunday's opening ceremony. However, many Indians feel Patil should be the one to officially inaugurate the games, the first to be held in India and only the second in Asia.
"There is no row. Both the Prince of Wales and the president of India will have a prominent role in the opening ceremony in Delhi," the prince's office, Clarence House, said. "We cannot be specific about the choreography, but the prince will read out the Queen's baton message, ending by declaring the games open."
The latest scandal to hit the Commonwealth Games comes as more and more athletes - 850 were expected yesterday - are arriving in New Delhi and moving into the athletes' village, which was described last week as filthy and uninhabitable.
New Zealand, which had delayed its arrival in India until the village was cleaned up, sent its first athletes into their living quarters on Sunday night - two days later than planned.
"Obviously, there's been a bit of work go in over the past few days, but as far as we're concerned, it's fine," New Zealand lawn bowling coach Dave Edwards said. "There's a little bit of dust and some poor finishing with plaster and paint and things like that, but we're very happy with what we've got."
Some of the buildings still had leaks in them, and there was still water in some basements, according to New Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
"They're keeping ahead of it. They've got a lot of cleaners and workers here, but I understand there are still a few countries experiencing problems," New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie said.
Another top athlete also withdrew from the games yesterday. Cypriot high jumper Kyriakos Iannou, who won the silver medal at last year's world championships in Berlin, pulled out of the competition "for strictly personal reasons," Cyprus Olympic Committee director Olga Piperidou said.
With Queen Elizabeth II skipping the New Delhi Games - the first Commonwealth Games she's missed since 1966 - the prince is scheduled to speak on his mother's behalf at Sunday's opening ceremony. However, many Indians feel Patil should be the one to officially inaugurate the games, the first to be held in India and only the second in Asia.
"There is no row. Both the Prince of Wales and the president of India will have a prominent role in the opening ceremony in Delhi," the prince's office, Clarence House, said. "We cannot be specific about the choreography, but the prince will read out the Queen's baton message, ending by declaring the games open."
The latest scandal to hit the Commonwealth Games comes as more and more athletes - 850 were expected yesterday - are arriving in New Delhi and moving into the athletes' village, which was described last week as filthy and uninhabitable.
New Zealand, which had delayed its arrival in India until the village was cleaned up, sent its first athletes into their living quarters on Sunday night - two days later than planned.
"Obviously, there's been a bit of work go in over the past few days, but as far as we're concerned, it's fine," New Zealand lawn bowling coach Dave Edwards said. "There's a little bit of dust and some poor finishing with plaster and paint and things like that, but we're very happy with what we've got."
Some of the buildings still had leaks in them, and there was still water in some basements, according to New Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
"They're keeping ahead of it. They've got a lot of cleaners and workers here, but I understand there are still a few countries experiencing problems," New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie said.
Another top athlete also withdrew from the games yesterday. Cypriot high jumper Kyriakos Iannou, who won the silver medal at last year's world championships in Berlin, pulled out of the competition "for strictly personal reasons," Cyprus Olympic Committee director Olga Piperidou said.
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