World women’s discus champion Dani Samuels has joined a long list of top athletes who have pulled out of the Commonwealth Games.
The star Australian confirmed on Tuesday that she would not travel to India due to “health and security” reasons. Her absence clears the way for India’s Krishna Poonia for a possible gold medal in this event.
Samuels’ announcement came before England’s world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu and Olympic women’s 400 metres champion Christine Ohuruogu announced their decision to stay away from the Games.
Kenyan Olympic 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop also announced that he would not be coming.
The Games had been hit much earlier by the withdrawal of Olympic and world champion sprinter Usain Bolt from Jamaica, triple gold medallist swimmer Stephanie Rice from Australia, defending champion in 100m Asafa Powell from Jamaica and England’s tennis attraction Andy Murray.
Two ace Kenyan athletes who withdrew on account of fatigue were 800m world record holder David Rudisha and 5000m Olympic bronze medallist Edwin Soi.
Injuries had accounted for the withdrawal of 10000m world champion Linet Masai of Kenya and Lisa Dobriskey of England, defending champion in the 1500 metres.
Keywords: Commonwealth Games 2010
Comments:
Athletes pulling out of CWG in New Delhi , those pulling out with injuries is a legitimate reason and should be excused and not made into an issue. Only those pulling out fro other reasons such as security, preparing for world championships etc are ludicrous and if possible punished for their lame excuses. Even the cyclist who has to be in some other event like european games to qualify etc. ahs a valid reason to skip. But others have to be ashamed for this ludicrous behavior on their part.
Indians have made India Poor and Shame !It is high time for introspection in all levels for India to extricate herself from such a mess thrust upon her by her own subjects.
Who cares about these couple of athletes, thousands of people attending the games, these couple of athletes worry about their lives,
all the western countries trying to sabotage the games, they think, they are the only one can manage it, nobody else should be able to do this, come on give India chance and have patience, there is alway last minute hiccups, they tried to do the same thing with China, too much polution, selling dog meat, finding all the negative stuff, ultimately olympic was success. CWG will be succussfull, be postive.