Security at the Commonwealth Games has come under question since two Taiwanese tourists were shot in Delhi on Sunday.
A Channel Seven Australia reporter further exacerbated concerns after showing how easy it was to buy a bomb, test it, and take it right into the games village - no questions asked.
Channel Seven reporter Mike Duffy talks about his security breach.
Have a look at Video here.
Security fails in Commonwealth Games 2010, Aussie TV Reporter Claims Explosives into Venue
An Australian TV channel has claimed that its crew got past security personnel and entered the Commonwealth Games village with crude explosives bought in New Delhi a few days ago, raising questions over safety at the event venues.
Channel 7 journalist Mike Duffy claimed that he walked into one of the Games venues with a case of explosive which could have triggered explosions if fitted with a detonator. The video footage put up in a website called 3news.co.nz showed Duffy secretly filming the purchase of the case from the boot of a car in New Delhi.
The video also showed how Duffy was even given a demonstration by the vendors. "If I need to blow up this car, all I need further is a detonator and explosive," the vendor told Duffy in the video.
Duffy claimed that he was easily able to buy the items, including ammonium nitrate and explosives used for mining, in New Delhi, which is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Games from October 3 to 14.
"We found that without too much trouble one can purchase these explosives and equipment on the streets of New Delhi. At the mining areas, they sell it almost alongside groceries," he said in the news footage in the website.
On Sunday, two Taiwanese nationals were injured when two motor-cycle borne attackers fired at a bus carrying foreign tourists outside Jama Masjid, raising fresh concerns about security in the wake of the Delhi Games. PTI
Channel 7 journalist Mike Duffy claimed that he walked into one of the Games venues with a case of explosive which could have triggered explosions if fitted with a detonator. The video footage put up in a website called 3news.co.nz showed Duffy secretly filming the purchase of the case from the boot of a car in New Delhi.
The video also showed how Duffy was even given a demonstration by the vendors. "If I need to blow up this car, all I need further is a detonator and explosive," the vendor told Duffy in the video.
Duffy claimed that he was easily able to buy the items, including ammonium nitrate and explosives used for mining, in New Delhi, which is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Games from October 3 to 14.
"We found that without too much trouble one can purchase these explosives and equipment on the streets of New Delhi. At the mining areas, they sell it almost alongside groceries," he said in the news footage in the website.
On Sunday, two Taiwanese nationals were injured when two motor-cycle borne attackers fired at a bus carrying foreign tourists outside Jama Masjid, raising fresh concerns about security in the wake of the Delhi Games. PTI
Sushil Kumar is World wrestling champion, Hope for Gold Medal in Commonwealth Games
Sushil Kumar made history by becoming the first Indian to win a World wrestling championship gold medal when he overpowered home favourite Alan Gogaev to win the 66kg freestyle title in Moscow on Sunday.
The exciting 3-1 victory in the title-bout also made Sushil the first Indian grappler to bag Olympic and World championship medals. The 27-year-old already holds the Asian and Commonwealth titles.
On his way to the final, Sushil convincingly defeated Anastasios Akritidis of Greece (6-0), Martin Sebastian Daum of Germany (4-1) and Batzorig Buyanjar of Mongolia (9-1) before rallying to beat reigning European champion Jabrayil Hasanov of Azerbaijan (4-3).
The WFI Secretary and former Asian Games gold medallist Kartar Singh, too, expressed his joy after Sushil won the gold.
Kartar hoped that the Commonwealth Games gold at home should not be a difficult thing to achieve for Sushil.
The exciting 3-1 victory in the title-bout also made Sushil the first Indian grappler to bag Olympic and World championship medals. The 27-year-old already holds the Asian and Commonwealth titles.
On his way to the final, Sushil convincingly defeated Anastasios Akritidis of Greece (6-0), Martin Sebastian Daum of Germany (4-1) and Batzorig Buyanjar of Mongolia (9-1) before rallying to beat reigning European champion Jabrayil Hasanov of Azerbaijan (4-3).
The WFI Secretary and former Asian Games gold medallist Kartar Singh, too, expressed his joy after Sushil won the gold.
Kartar hoped that the Commonwealth Games gold at home should not be a difficult thing to achieve for Sushil.
Govt approves money for tennis players
The payment row that threatened to derail India’s tennis campaign in the upcoming Commonwealth Games was resolved on Saturday with the government approving Rs one crore for five elite players.
The elite men’s players — Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman — had threatened to pull out of the Games if there dues, in the last two years, were not cleared.
The Sports Ministry had accused the All India Tennis Association for delay in payment, saying it had not received players’ bills from the AITA for clearance.
Rahul Bhatnagar, Joint Secretary (International Sports Division) of Sports Ministry on Saturday announced the government has approved the money to be released to the players.
“The government has sanctioned Rs one crore and the players will get this money within the next week. Leander Paes will get Rs 19.26 lakh, Mahesh Bhupathi 19.62 lakh, Rohan Bopanna 18.33 lakh, Somdev Devvarman 25.88 lakh and Sania Mirza Rs 17.52 lakh,” Mr. Bhatnagar said at a press conference here.
“As far as ministry is concerned, the matter is over now,” he added.
As per the government scheme for the players’ preparations for the Games, they were entitled to an allowance of USD 115 per day for 75 days in a year for training and competitions abroad.
Accordingly, the players were entitled to $17,250 each excluding the air-fare for travelling.
The money that has been approved includes the economy class air-fares but Bhatnagar did not reveal the number of tournaments for which the players have been given the air-fare.
AITA had asked for air-fare for at least 11 tournaments in year.
The elite players were unhappy that they were not getting any benefit out of the government’s scheme.
The AITA had first denied and then confirmed the threat by the players.
After getting an assurance from the Sports Ministry, the players had then issued a joint statement that they will be available for the upcoming Davis Cup and the Commonwealth Games.
The elite men’s players — Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman — had threatened to pull out of the Games if there dues, in the last two years, were not cleared.
The Sports Ministry had accused the All India Tennis Association for delay in payment, saying it had not received players’ bills from the AITA for clearance.
Rahul Bhatnagar, Joint Secretary (International Sports Division) of Sports Ministry on Saturday announced the government has approved the money to be released to the players.
“The government has sanctioned Rs one crore and the players will get this money within the next week. Leander Paes will get Rs 19.26 lakh, Mahesh Bhupathi 19.62 lakh, Rohan Bopanna 18.33 lakh, Somdev Devvarman 25.88 lakh and Sania Mirza Rs 17.52 lakh,” Mr. Bhatnagar said at a press conference here.
“As far as ministry is concerned, the matter is over now,” he added.
As per the government scheme for the players’ preparations for the Games, they were entitled to an allowance of USD 115 per day for 75 days in a year for training and competitions abroad.
Accordingly, the players were entitled to $17,250 each excluding the air-fare for travelling.
The money that has been approved includes the economy class air-fares but Bhatnagar did not reveal the number of tournaments for which the players have been given the air-fare.
AITA had asked for air-fare for at least 11 tournaments in year.
The elite players were unhappy that they were not getting any benefit out of the government’s scheme.
The AITA had first denied and then confirmed the threat by the players.
After getting an assurance from the Sports Ministry, the players had then issued a joint statement that they will be available for the upcoming Davis Cup and the Commonwealth Games.
I would love to come to India says Bolt
A back injury and an unfavourable timing of the event forced Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt to skip the Commonwealth Games but the Olympic gold medallist said he would love to visit India some day.
“Based on the programme my coach has for me, the timing of the Commonwealth Games will conflict with preparations for next season,” Bolt told PTI-Bhasha via email.
“Normally October is the off season when athletes are resting. Since making this decision I picked up a back injury, which puts me out anyway.
“I would like to come to India as I have never been there before,” he added.
In June, the three-time world champion sprinter had decided not to compete at the October 3-14 Delhi Games. Asked if his absence will weaken the Jamaican team, Bolt said, “Jamaica has a lot of other strong athletes, especially in the sprint events.”
“I am not sure who Jamaica has selected. I believe there are also some other athletes who are not available due to the timing of the competition.”
Nursing a back injury, Bolt said his next priority would be to resume his training next month and concentrate in World Championships besides the London Games.
“I have been off training for the past three weeks. I will start training again at the start of October. My next major competition will be the 2011 IAAF World T&F Championships.
“For me the World Championships and Olympic Games are very important and I will resume training in October to get ready for those meets,” he said.
“Based on the programme my coach has for me, the timing of the Commonwealth Games will conflict with preparations for next season,” Bolt told PTI-Bhasha via email.
“Normally October is the off season when athletes are resting. Since making this decision I picked up a back injury, which puts me out anyway.
“I would like to come to India as I have never been there before,” he added.
In June, the three-time world champion sprinter had decided not to compete at the October 3-14 Delhi Games. Asked if his absence will weaken the Jamaican team, Bolt said, “Jamaica has a lot of other strong athletes, especially in the sprint events.”
“I am not sure who Jamaica has selected. I believe there are also some other athletes who are not available due to the timing of the competition.”
Nursing a back injury, Bolt said his next priority would be to resume his training next month and concentrate in World Championships besides the London Games.
“I have been off training for the past three weeks. I will start training again at the start of October. My next major competition will be the 2011 IAAF World T&F Championships.
“For me the World Championships and Olympic Games are very important and I will resume training in October to get ready for those meets,” he said.
