Commonwealth Games vs Asian Games: No contest - The Times of India Nov 10, 2010
GUANGZHOU: It was all good news for Asian Games organizers: the deputy mayor of this southern city outlining impressive progress with test events and venue preparations, and talking of hosting the games "with a Cantonese charm."
Sitting next to Xu Ruisheng, who is also on the organizing committee, at a news conference on Wednesday was Randhir Singh of India, a member of the Olympic Council of Asia.
Singh's country recently hosted the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, a multi-sports event beset by construction delays, corruption allegations and, in its early stages, empty stadiums. So when the inevitable question about a comparison between the two events came, Singh conceded China is setting the example for the rest of Asia.
"There were many delays in Delhi, so the test events got delayed, we had problems there," said Singh, a member of the International Olympic Committee. "And there had been some internal problems, but still, we managed to hold a very good games. I believe Guangzhou will as well."
The Commonwealth Games ended October 14. Competition begins less than a month later at the Asian Games, which includes 42 sports and involves more than 10,000 athletes from 45 regions and countries which comprise two-thirds of the world's population.
Singh listened as Xu read out some dazzling figures in terms of preparations, and ones which the smaller Commonwealth Games were never able to match: 53 competition venues and 17 training stadiums ready and locked down in Guangzhou well in advance of Friday's opening ceremony, and the completion of test events for all 42 sports.
Four times in the past three weeks, the Guangzhou organizing committee held "simulation tests" at all venues to test timing and scoring systems and hold dry runs for the medal presentations at what will be the biggest Asian Games on record.
"I am glad to say that after these tests, we have greatly enhanced our operational abilities," Xu said through an interpreter.
The Commonwealth Games managed only a handful of test events for its 17 sports. Some countries even considered withdrawing from the New Delhi Games following long construction delays, the collapse of a foot bridge and the discovery of ****** conditions in the athletes' village just days before the games were to begin.
After the games ended, India's main opposition party demanded a parliamentary investigation into the organization of the event. The Bharatiya Janata Party said millions of dollars were siphoned by companies run by relatives of games officials, a claim which supports reports from local media.
There were also ticketing problems - spectators said they were often surrounded by empty seats, despite officials saying all seats had been sold. The Times of India reported that ticket sales brought in less than half the expected 1.1 billion rupees ($24 million).
On Tuesday, Suresh Kalmadi, head of the New Delhi 2010 organizing committee, was removed as party parliamentary secretary of India's governing Congress Party, which ordered an investigation into the Commonwealth Games.
Asked to comment on Kalmadi's demise, Singh didn't answer, but instead talked about Asia's emergence as a "major player in the world of sports." He said it was impressive that two major events such as the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games were being hosted in close proximity in time and location on the same continent.
While Delhi had its usual air pollution problems and unusual monsoonal rains that didn't help already-delayed construction at venues, Guangzhou, a city of 10 million, has done its best to reduce polluted air across the province. The levels are still considered high, however, by most Western standards.
Similar to rules for the Beijing Olympics in 2008, half of the 2.1 million private cars in Guangzhou have been ordered off the roads for a period during and leading up to the games, leading to improved air quality.
Xu again took the opportunity to spruik his city and his games. "The highest standards of water and electricity supply, smooth urban traffic and air, water and living environment quality," he gushed. "Guangzhou is ready to extend its welcoming hands."
Read more: Commonwealth Games vs Asian Games: No contest - The Times of India
Commonwealth Games vs Asian Games: No contest - The Times of India