The Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC), Suresh Kalmadi, was optimistic despite the onslaught of corruption charges against the OC officials.
Addressing the media on the launch of the Games medal here on Friday, Kalmadi said instead of wasting energy the focus should be on the successful delivery of the Games, which included the mammoth task of looking after the huge number of athletes and officials coming from various countries.
Kalmadi was hopeful that India would have a better finish in the home edition of the Games. “Indian athletes won 50 medals in the 2006 Games. We hope 70 of these wonderful medals will be won by Indian athletes. India finished fourth in the medals tally at Melbourne. We're hopeful of moving to third place this time,” he said.
“The Prime Minister has given us 700 crore for training of athletes, I am confident that will reflect in India's medal tally,” he added.
Kalmadi, who refused to quit from his post, acknowledged the preliminary report submitted by the Chief Technical Examiner's Organisation (CTEO) of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on the poor quality of construction of stadia.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has already written to the OC expressing concern about the athletes' safety at different venues.
“It is true that some stadia are still to get ready. The CGF will look into the matter. But while taking over the stadia, we are making sure that everything is alright. If there is any problem we are taking note of it,” Kalmadi said. So far, OC has taken over 11 stadia.
Major concern
Admitting that initially security was a major concern among various countries, Kalmadi said now everybody was assured.
On the reported pullout threat by ace shooter Gagan Narang, the OC Chairman said he would persuade the World championship bronze medallist to take part in Games.
Meanwhile, Kalmadi unveiled the medals meant to be distributed to successful athletes in the Games.
The front side of each medal has the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games logo and dates. The back exhibits the emblem of the CGF.
Each medal, manufactured by the Government Mint, Kolkata, is six mm in thickness and 63.5mm in diameter.
The lanyard of the medal carries all six Games colours (pink, purple, green, red, yellow and blue) blending into each other.
OC has ordered altogether 1408 medals, which includes multiple medals in team events.
In all, 272 gold, 272 silver and 282 bronze medals will be given away to the athletes.
The cost of producing a gold medal is Rs.5,539, a silver medal Rs.4,818 and a bronze medal Rs.4,529. The total cost of producing these medals is Rs.81,08,566.
