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Male gymnast performing at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, UK

Each city hosting a Commonwealth Games must include a minimum of 10 core sports on their Programme. They can then include up to an additional 7 from a list of optional sports, with a maximum of 4 team sports on their Programme. The 17 sports chosen for Delhi are: Archery, Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Rugby 7’s, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

Preparations on track for next year’s Commonwealth Games in India

20 August 2009

Television audiences of two billion are expected

After smashing his own 100 metres world record at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin last week, speculation immediately mounted over whether Usain Bolt could shave off yet more time at next year’s Commonwealth Games.

The Chairman of the Organising Committee for the nineteenth Commonwealth Games in Delhi certainly believes he can do it.

“I think there will be a great crowd to edge him on, there will be great weather at that time, and he himself is determined to break the record, so why not,” said Suresh Kalmadi MP at a press conference held at Marlborough House, headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, in London.

The Jamaican sprinter, who clocked 9.58 seconds in Berlin, would clearly be a top star if he competes at next year’s Games, following his memorable performances over the last year.

As well as wishing further glory for Bolt, Mr Kalmadi hopes the Games will be a success for Indian athletes as well. “Because the Prime Minister has given us a big amount of money for [athletes] training and practice, we are determined to come in the top three at the Commonwealth Games.”

Following Abhinav Bindra’s gold medal in shooting at the Olympics, Mr Kalmadi said that a lot of young people have taken interest in the sport and shooting ranges are cropping up everywhere. There is also a lot of focus on boxing and wrestling after India’s medals in Beijing in 2008. Archery, badminton, hockey and tennis are among the other sports which India has high hopes in.

Facts and figures

· The Commonwealth Games will run from 3 to 14 October 2010.

· Athletes from 71 nations and territories will take part.

· 5,000 media will be accredited from across the Commonwealth.

· The 2010 Games will be the second time the event has been held in Asia (Kuala Lumpur in 1998 was the first).

At yesterday’s (19 August 2009) press conference Mr Kalmadi explained that the Queen’s Baton Relay will be launched from Buckingham Palace on 29 October. This relay – one of the great traditions of the Games – will see a baton (carrying a message from HM Queen Elizabeth II) travel the length and breadth of the Commonwealth for 240 days visiting all member nations and territories before arriving in India for a 100-day national tour. On reaching its final destination in Delhi the baton will have travelled over 190,000 kilometres.

Mr Kalmadi, who is also President of the Indian Olympic Association to the UK, assured the press that all infrastructures will be ready by March next year. Then between March and June a series of security, safety and other tests will be conducted.

He and Mike Fennell, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, both offered assurances over security concerns.

“What I saw is that everything humanly possible is being done, to guarantee the security of people who come to Delhi for the Games,” said Mr Funnel.