CWG Day 3: Good day for the host team
Meanwhile Australia continued to dominate third day in a row.
6:40pm
Pakistan tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi lost to Australian Matt Ebdan in Men's Singles Tennis by 6-4, 7-5 at the Commonwealth games on Wednesday.
6:05pm
Joe Agbonavbare of Nigeria pulled off one of the shocks of the Commonwealth Games to beat hotly-tipped Indian Manoj Kumar in the 84kg Greco-Roman wrestling final, AFP reports.
Myroslav Dykun of England won the men's 66kg Greco-Roman wrestling gold medal, pinning Jack Bond of Canada to the mat in the final. It took Dykun just half of the first session to grapple his opponent to the floor, pinning him in a vice-like grip to stop the bout.
South Africa's Cameron Van Der Burgh won gold in the men's 100m breaststroke, lowering the Commonwealth Games record for the third time in two days.
5:05pm
Cricket should be included in the Commonwealth Games and Olympics to help the game grow around the world, West Indies cricketing great Viv Richards said on Wednesday, Reuters reports.
Richards, at the Delhi Games as an ambassador for the25-member Antigua and Barbuda delegation, said the Twenty20 competition was tailor-made for multi-sports events.
"Twenty20 definitely should be in," he told Reuters. "That's the version, it will be the best salesman for cricket as it is short and entertaining.”
5:00pm
Australia on Wednesday won a 1-2-3 in the women's 200m breaststroke, with Leisel Jones retaining the title for the third successive Games, AFP reports.
England took gold and silver in the Commonwealth Games men's individual all-around gymnastics, with Luke Folwell leading Reiss Beckford, ahead of Australia's Joshua Jefferis in third.
Meanwhile, England beat Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 in a Pool B Hockey match.
4:50pm
Pakistani wrestler Azhar Hussain wins first silver medal for the country at the Commonwealth Games.
India's Rajender Kumar won the men's 55kg Greco-Roman wrestling gold medal, beating Azhar Hussain in the final, AFP reports.
Promise Mwenga of Canada won the bronze.
4:30 pm
Who's saying what in New Delhi on Day 4 of the CWG:
"The facilities in Nauru are very basic. We have just got a shed." - Nauru fighter Sean Oppenheimer.
"To be honest, you saw the video, he didn't do anything. This is racing and this is how it's done. He is a racer and we like to push around a bit and get some action. If it were me, I wouldn't even give him a warning." - Malaysia's Josiah Ng, who won the men's keirin cycling gold, after compatriot Azizulhasni Awang was disqualified.
"We are swimming to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, but a Metallica (American heavy metal band) cover which is a bit unusual and angry, it should be good." - Australia's Eloise Amberger on the music for her and partner Sarah Bombell in synchronised swimming.
"To play elite sport in 40 degrees and 80 percent humidity is inappropriate and dangerous." - Furious England women's hockey coach Danny Kerry.
"In Australia people have a perception that in sports everything is easy, like it appears in swimming, but with table tennis we (William Hensel and Frank Robert) started practicing at age eight and we have done a lot of hard work to reach this position" - Henzel reflects on the hardships of being a table tennis player in Australia.
"We are confident we can take Malawi." - Ever-optimistic Indian netball coach Pacnchali Tatke after his team suffered a Games record 113-18 loss against Australia on Tuesday. They subsequently lost 82-26.
4:15 pm
More victories come Australia's way as world champion Cameron Meyer wraps up another stellar day in CWG track cycling on Day 3 when he claims gold in the men's 40km points race.
Australia's Alicia Coutts shows her blistering form in New Delhi by winning a second gold of the CWG in a closely-fought women's 100m freestyle on Day 3.
4:00 pm
Australia takes the lead bagging 29 medals while England comes second with 18. India is close behind with 17. See the tabulated medal results here.
3:45 pm
Australian grappler Hassene Fkiri will return to the CWG wrestling venue on Day 3 to apologise for the single finger gesture that cost him a silver medal.
The Tunisian-born wrestler raised his middle finger at officials after being disqualified from a gold medal bout against Indian Anil Kumar in Greco-Roman wrestling on Day 2. Despite the disqualification from the bout, he would still have been assured of a silver medal had he not made the gesture.
"Fkiri will today visit the wrestling venue to personally apologise for his actions to the opponent, referee, judges and officials involved," said Australia team spokesperson John Gatfield, AFP reports.
Fkiri will be restricted to the athletes' village for the rest of his time at the 'friendly Games' and on his return to Australia has agreed to undertake community service with young wrestlers once a week for a year.
"The athlete acknowledged that he had been wrong," Gatfield added.
3:40 pm
England's James Goddard wins gold on Day 3 in the men's 200m backstroke, setting a new CWG record.
Australia's Alicia Coutts wins gold in the women's 100m freestyle.
3:38 pm
India's Omkar Singh wins the gold medal in the men's 50m Pistol singles event at the CWG on Day 3.
3:35 pm
England take gold and silver in the CWG men's individual all-around gymnastics on Day 3, with Luke Folwell leading Reiss Beckford, ahead of Australia's Joshua Jefferis in third.
3:25 pm
The Eurasia Review writes a report on what India should have done to successfully prepare for the CWG 2010, considering they were voted hosts in 2003 and had ample time to prepare for the event. the report states:
In preparation for the Beijing Olympics 2008, China finished the construction of all 31 venues well ahead of schedule. Not only did this allow for effective lockdowns and security drills, it also led to international media coverage of the venues well ahead of the event, thereby increasing the influx of tourists into the city.
To prepare for enhanced security, China organised the Conference on International Security Cooperation for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in September 2007. The International Olympics Committee (IOC), the International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO), and contingents from all participating countries discussed and formulated security strategies for the event. Different agencies and institutes also invited scores of consultants to understand the complex dynamics involving security, infrastructure, and mega-event management.
Additionally, in efforts to “dress up Beijing like a bride” before the Olympics, China launched elaborate anti-littering and anti-spitting campaigns and even addressed issues linked to safety and hygiene of street food in tourist areas.
When India competed to host the Games there was an underlying expectation that international standards in sporting facilities and living conditions would be met. This is not only for the comfort of the visitors and smooth conduct of the Games, but also to showcase the prowess of a developing country rising rapidly both in terms of economic growth and democratic values.
3:15 pm
More good news for Australia as the defending champions pull off a 2-1 win over a lacklustre India in a CWG Pool A hockey match on Day 3.
3:10 pm
Australia are leading with a golden mile as Cameron Meyer easily wins the gold medal after he blows away the field in the men's 40km points cycling final at CWG on Day 2.
George Atkins of England takes silver with little more than half of Meyer's points while Mark Peter Christian of the Isle of Man wins the bronze.
3:05 pm
Anisa Syyed bags another gold for India as she wins the women's 25m pistol shooting gold medal at the CWG on Day 3 ahead of compartiot Rahi Sarnobat and Bibiana Chin of Malaysia.
3:00 pm
Australia defeats India 2-1 in CWG Pool A women's hockey match here on Day 3.
2:40 pm
Azizulhasni Awang of Malaysia was disqualified after winning the men's keirin cycling final at the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday, AFP reports.
Anwang had cruised home ahead of compatriot Josiah Ng, with David Daniell of England in third, before being told he was being denied his medal for "dangerous sprinting", officials said.
2:30 pm
England women's hockey coach Danny Kerry slammed Commonwealth Games organisers on Wednesday after his team were forced to play in baking and 'dangerous' 40-degree temperatures. AFP reports.
"To play elite sport in 40 degrees and 80 per cent humidity is inappropriate and dangerous," he told the BBC after his team's 4-1 win over Canada at the Major Dhyan Chand stadium.
"The organisers are in ivory towers, they don't consult us. We made representations before the Games and just hit brick walls."
2:15 pm
'Flag snatcher' Dr Mohammad Ali Shah has apologised to weightlifter Shujauddin Malik over the flag-carrying fiasco that took place during the opening ceremony of the CWG.
"I didn't know whether i could hold the flag or not" said Shah in his defense.
The report on the flag-snatching incident has been sent to Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani while the sports secretary is in New Delhi investigating the matter.
2:05 pm
Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon on Day 3 looked on course to retain her synchronised swimming solo and duet crowns, to cement Canada's dominance of the sport in the Commonwealth Games.
The 27-year-old Quebecoise, a World Championships bronze medallist, showed her experience in the technical solo part of the two-day competition, finishing in gold medal position going into Thursday's free routine, scoring 47.667.
1:50 pm
Do the CWG have a future? Games Chief Mike Fennel believes they will, despite all the negative publicity the Games have received.
Fennell believes that the Games, first staged in 1930 in Canada, will continue which will be welcome news for Glasgow, the 2014 hosts, AFP reports.
"A lot of the adverse publicity has turned off some people - there's no question about that," said Fennell on Day 3.
"What we need to do is turn that around because the Games are being held successfully."
1:35 pm
Australia leads with 25 medals while India and England tie for second place! See the tabulated medal results here.
1:25 pm
Gold galore for Australia as they win gold in the women's teams sprint at the CWG on day 3. Scotland takes silver with Canada winning the bronze.
1:05 pm
England are speeding up in the race for golds as Steven Scott and Stevan Walton win the gold in the men's Double Trap Pairs event on Day 3, AFP reports.
1:00 pm
Megan Dunn piles more gold for Australia as she wins the women's 25km points cycling race gold medal at the CWG on Day 3.
12:45 pm
Is Kalmadi Delhi's blunder boss? Tweeple seem to think so:
dramoly amol dhurve #kalmadi collecting threads from medals to hang himself .. ..#cwg
subhadip6 Subhadip Debnath another feather in Kalmadi's head this time by Aussie media introducing him 'Meet Delhi's blunder boss' http://bit.ly/b1Q59p#CWG #Kalmadi
KiranKS Kiran Kumar S #Australia #CWG team made to stand in 40+ deg in small tunnel 4 1hr during opening ceremony. They threatened to pull out #Kalmadiapologised
arjunsinghal arjun singhal Cop attempts to divert car from #cwg lane. Causes big crash in#citizen lanes on NH8. #Delhi #games #commonwealth #kalmadi#accident
Shyam17 Shyam Panchavati India 2020,hope there will be all Kalams and no Kalmadi's.#Kalmadibundle of nerves at #CWG opening,guilt weighing on him heavily#news,
nishanth_rao Nishanth Full marks 4 #Kalmadi if he had any thing 2do with the success of the opening ceremony of #CWG,but corruption charges cannot be swept away
12:35 pm
CWG organiser Suersh Kalmadi denies reports that the Games are being poorly attended, despite journalists' claims of the opposite. Kalmadi says it's getting better:
"As far as ticketing is concerned, the boxing and wrestling venues were packed yesterday," he claimed, although journalists at the stadiums said this was an exaggeration.
"The ticket sales picked up yesterday with over 50,000 tickets sold and now with India winning gold medals, the interest level is going up.
"There have been very good sales in hockey, tennis, swimming and athletics."
Despite Kalmadi's comments, India's top tennis star Sania Mirza took to the court on Day 3 in front of a mostly empty arena while their first gold of the Games in shooting on Day 2 was witnessed by only a handful of fans.
12:15 pm
Great day for England as another victory comes their way as they defeat Canada 4-1 to register their second successive win in the CWG women's hockey on Day 3.
12:05 pm
India bags another gold as Gagan Narang wins the CWG men's 10 m Air Rifle gold medal on Day 3.
11:45 am
Congratulations to Sania Mirza and team India for defeating Brittany Teei of Cook Islands in CWG Women's Singles Tennis.
11:40 am
England are victorious yet again as they defeat Canada 4-1 in a CWG women's Pool B hockey match on Day 3.
11:30 am
25-year-old construction foreman Vikas Kumar explains why the CWG has been so poorly attended: he has no idea how much tickets cost.
"No one knows what the prices are. Everyone thinks it's too expensive. If it was properly advertised, the Games would get a big crowd," Kumar told AFP on the streets of central New Delhi.
In fact tickets to several Games events begin at 100 rupees ($2.25), which should be within reach of even lower-middle-class Delhiites.
The low attendance for even some of the major sports so far - barely 100 people were at the 16,000-capacity hockey stadium for one match on Day 3 - has again focused attention on the event's controversial organisation.
11:20 am
Did you know that the Indian government has levied a fine of Indian rupees two thousand for vehicles that use lanes earmarked for the exclusive use of athletes and delegates during the CWG?
A Times of India report from last month states that the prosecution will be carried out under section 115 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which pertains to the "power to restrict the use of vehicles".
The section invites a penalty of Rs 2,000, which is substantially higher than what the police would otherwise charge for lane violation (a fine of Rs 100).
A comment on the report hints at the dissatisfaction the fine has caused amongst citizens.
Dr. AKL (Delhi-NCR)
14 Aug, 2010 04:17 AM
Now CW Games appear to threaten our freedom and democracy too! or, simply another CWG Joke! Restricting or prohibiting vehicle movement for some time in a specific stretch of road or area may be OK, but closing down so many roads in Delhi under the disguise of CWG Lanes is sure laughable. It won't work, knowing the power of 'connections and money' in Delhi.
11:05 am
The tracks at the CWG are in the spotlight as CWG deny allegations that they are in poor condition.
CWG chiefs insisted on Day 2 that the track and in-field at the main Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was fit for international competition after frantic all-night repairs to get it ready, AFP reports.
"There have been some reports speculating about the preparations of the athletics which starts today and I am happy to tell you that all the work that was necessary has been completed and all systems are go," said CWG Federation president Mike Fennell.
"There was some damage to the athletics track and the in-field was in a very poor condition, and there was some general cleaning up to be done. But the workers responded to this overnight and it was all done. "It was checked this morning by the delegate for the IAAF and he has informed us that it is all systems go, so we are very pleased to report that."
10:45 am
Here is a list of qualifiers for Wednesday's swimming finals:
Men's 200m backstroke
| 1 | James Goddard (ENG) | 1:59.30 |
| 2 | Charles Francis (CAN) | 1:59.67 |
| 3 | Tobias Oriwol (CAN) | 1:59.79 |
| 4 | Marco Loughran (WAL) | 1:59.99 |
| 5 | Ryan Bennett (ENG) | 2:00.32 |
| 6 | Ashley Delaney (AUS) | 2:00.44 |
| 7 | Chris Walker-Hebborn (ENG) | 2:00.57 |
| 8 | Gareth Kean (NZL) | 2:00.86 |
Men's 50m freestyle S9
| 1 | Matthew Cowdrey (AUS) | 25.66 |
| 2 | Simon Miller (ENG) | 27.00 |
| 3 | Benjamin Austin (AUS) | 27.68 |
| 4 | Prasanta Karmakar (IND) | 27.69 |
| 5 | Blake Cochrane (AUS) | 27.81 |
| 6 | Sean Fraser (SCO) | 28.60 |
| 7 | Laurence McGivern (NIR) | 28.84 |
| 8 | Sachin Verma (IND) | 29.05 |
Women's 200m breaststroke
| 1 | Annamay Pierse (CAN) | 2:27.74 |
| 2 | Sarah Katsoulis (AUS) | 2:28.29 |
| 3 | Leisel Jones (AUS) | 2:28.57 |
| 4 | Stacey Tadd (ENG) | 2:28.75 |
| 5 | Martha McCabe (CAN) | 2:28.85 |
| 6 | Tessa Wallace (AUS) | 2:28.89 |
| 7 | Kerry Buchanan (SCO) | 2:31.05 |
| 8 | Hannah Miley (SCO) | 2:32.04 |
Men's 4x200m freestyle
| 1 | Australia | 7:22.47 |
| 2 | England | 7:22.61 |
| 3 | Scotland | 7:26.98 |
| 4 | Canada | 7:37.29 |
| 5 | Malaysia | 7:43.92 |
| 6 | South Africa | 7:45.73 |
| 7 | Singapore | 7:47.19 |
| 8 | India | 7:49.20 |
10:20 am
The CWG shunt from one crisis to another as the latest blow to the Games is the state of the track which is undergoing frantic last-minute repairs.
The athletics will go ahead provided track problems are resolved at the main 60,000-seater Jawaharlal Nehru stadium. The track and field were damaged during Sunday's spectacular opening ceremony. On Day 2, tarmac was still being laid on the track, while one AFP photographer even saw workers still putting down grass on large, bare areas of the in-field.
The Mail Today quoted an organising committee official as saying repairs were running late because contractors had problems getting security clearance.
Britain's former Olympic triple jump gold medallist Jonathan Edwards, in Delhi for the BBC, said he had never seen anything like it. He told the broadcaster:
I've seen a number of athletes come in and I think they're in shock,
This is a culture where things are got ready at the last minute but there are very real concerns.
For a top athlete coming into a stadium this is not what you expect. It's beyond anything I imagined.
10:10 am
More gold for England as Rebecca Adlington qualifies comfortably for the CWG 800m freestyle final on Day 3.
10:00 am
Australia are off to a victorious start yet again as they defeat Scotland 9-0 in a CWG men's Pool A hockey match here on Day 3.
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