With only two days left for a gala inaugural at the
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the heart of the city, about 6,000 athlete and
officials from the English-speaking Commonwealth world have poured into the
sprawling Games Village, their every movement watched by an army of security
personnel.
About a thousand more are on their way, Indian officials
said.
A visit to the venue by International Olympic Committee
President Jacques Rogge will provide a much-needed boost for organizers reeling
from the logistical nightmare of trying to arrange India's answer to the
Beijing Olympics.
With earlier uncertainty and bickering giving way to
undisguised confidence, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit declared that the
Indian capital was all set to host the country's biggest extravaganza after the
1982 Asian Games.
"Delhi is absolutely ready for the Commonwealth
Games. I am sure the Games will go on beautifully, smoothly. Hip hip hurray for
the Commonwealth Games!" an elated Dikshit said after welcoming the
Queen's Baton Relay at her office.
The baton had begun its journey from London last year -
for a tour of the Commonwealth countries and territories.
Shooter Abhinav Bindra, India's lone gold medalist at the
2008 Beijing Olympics, would lead the host contingent as it marches into the
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at the opening ceremony.
A historic city, Delhi has been put under unprecedented
security blanket. Plainclothes detectives are mingling with crowds on the streets,
shopping malls and Metro stations, while unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have
been keeping a watch from the sky.
Delhi Police Friday inducted three Light Armored Troop
Carriers. Heavily armed police and paramilitary forces ring the Games Village
and all other venues.
Prince Charles is representing his mother Queen
Elizabeth, who normally declares open the Games. Since she declared her
inability to come to Delhi, the British assumed that Prince Charles should
declare the Games open, igniting a protocol row with India.
That issue was settled Friday - with a touch of
diplomacy.
Prince Charles will read out the Queen's message and
receive the Queen's Baton and declare the Games open. After that President
Patil, on behalf of Delhi, will also declare the Games open.
Olympic bronze medalists Vijender and Sushil Kumar apart
from Saina Nehwal, Melbourne Commonwealth Games stars Samresh Jung and Akhil
Kumar, and five-time women's world boxing champion Mary Kom are likely to carry
the Queen's baton through the final stretch, India's chef de mission
Bhubaneswar Kalita said.
The Indian flag was raised at the Games Village at a
colorful ceremony, with school children performing yoga and traditional dance.
All shops and offices here will be shut Sunday - and on
the closing day Oct 14.
According to officials, the most high-tech security
systems are in place for the Games. Around 100,000 police and paramilitary
personnel have been deployed for the event.
Finally, facilities at the Village and the venues have
begun to come in for praise from athletes and officials. But the issue of who
all must take the blame for previous mess continues to echo.
New Zealand said that Michael Hooper, the Games Chief
Executive Officer in India, must share the blame for the problems related to
the event.
"I reached here only last night but accommodation is
as was expected and I'm looking forward to enjoying the next couple of weeks
here," Australia's world champion pole-vaulter Steve Hooker said.
South African Chef-De-Mission Patience Shikwambana also
said the focus was now on winning medals.
"What is important for us is the country's position
in the medals tally. Last time we were fifth. If our teams perform to their
best, this time we are hoping to go one or two positions higher." The Oct.
3-14 Games, however, was again hit by pullouts as Australians Scott Martin
(discus) and Hayley Butler (sprint hurdler) withdrew with injuries.
"Scott had an injury to his pectoral muscle while
Hayley suffered a calf muscle injury," a spokesperson of the Australian
contingent said.
