India bribed 72 nations to get Delhi CWG: Report

A media report claims India bribed 72 Commonwealth countries with $100,000 each to get hosting rights for the games.

NEW DEHLI: In a new controversy to hit Commonwealth Games in Delhi, an Australian media report on Friday claimed that India bribed 72 Commonwealth countries with $100,000 each to get hosting rights for the scandal-hit nineteenth edition of the games.

A report in the Daily Telegraph claimed that Delhi beat the Canadian city of Hamilton in the bid after offering huge sums of money during the final presentation in Jamaica.

The newspaper reported that Australia received a kickback of $125,000 thousand dollars from India.

Hamilton's bid organisers, and many of the nations who voted for them, fired off angry protests about India buying off votes.

The Commonwealth Games Association has decided to ban 11th-hour inducements as a consequence of the outrage over India's tactics.

Hamilton officials claimed Commonwealth nations would not be facing questions about venues and security, if the games were held there.

Australia Olympic chief says India not fit for Games

The Commonwealth Games should never have been awarded to India, Australia's Olympic chief said on Friday as more top athletes pulled out of the event plagued by filthy accommodation, shoddy construction and security fears.

"I don't think it is a cultural thing. When you agree to host (a Games) you are required to provide the basics in terms of health and hygiene for the athletes," Australia Olympic Committee president John Coates said.

"The Games shouldn't have been awarded to Delhi in hindsight."

As athletes begin arriving in Delhi, authorities are still working on completing Games venues, forcing some teams to take up temporary accommodation at hotels.

Cyclist Greg Henderson earlier on Friday became the first New Zealand athlete to withdraw over concerns about health and security.

Olympic cycling champion Geraint Thomas and three other Welsh riders also opted out of the Games, due to start on October 3.

India had hoped to use the Games to display its growing global economic and political influence, rivalling China.

Instead, they have become a major embarrassment for the government, which is trying to fend off criticism of poor construction, inadequate security and dirty accommodation.