Delhi Commonwealth Games - (Mens Gymanstics)

4 Oct 2010

Having spent all of the previous day trying to pries two tickets from the iron-like grip of the organizing authorities, we had little hope for the games themselves.

Upon arrival at the metro station things looked good, although slight bizarre going through security before exchanging the travel coupon for a ticket, the system worked well and we got to Indraprastha station with no problems. Upon arrival at the station there appeared to be no transport to the stadium so we decided to walk the supposed 1km. It was actually much further since they had closed most of the entrance gates to the stadium and had even closed the pavement surrounding the stadium (go figure that one out!) so we and other coming from the station were left walking along the motorway!

Wandering along the main road - because they had shut the pavement!

Things were not looking good for Delhi’s CWG. When we arrived at the first security check point we were told that in their list of banned items was all food and water. Food we had read about, but water we weren’t expecting but faced with no choice we reluctantly gave up our water bottles. When we asked where to put the water bottles we were told to simply toss them on the floor – should’ve guessed.

The security checks were thorough, with everything being x-rayed; including my guide book. That said they were efficient about it too. Once inside the ring of steel we were amazed by the army of volunteers, at least a four to one ratio – volunteers to guests! We easily found our seats and enjoyed a good few hours of exciting gymnastics.

Touristing it up in the arena

Following the first round of gymnastics there was an interlude, which was great since we were parched and starving. However, no one seemed to have realised that spectators would want to drink or eat and as such all the stalls advertising coca-cola were empty! There was also no food to be found anywhere; we tried following directions here and there but all to no avail. No body, not even the shiny new track-suited volunteers, knew where we could eat. We eventually resorted to begging some water from the police and we even managed to purloin some Special Thali from helpers carrying it to somewhere we never fathomed. Result, now we had food and drink – no thanks to any official outlet I may add.

The second half of the gymnastics was even more impressive than the first, with the English and Australians in close competition the whole way through. In the end the Aussies managed to grasp victory, but only just leaving our boys with a very respectable 2^nd place.

Following some very flamboyant marching from one of India’s armed forces and a dishing out of medals, we headed off back to our hotel.

Cue the serious marching!

The return journey was distinctly more impressive; a rammed bus, but a bus nonetheless to the metro, then an official queue jump courtesy of an Indian army officer (thanks!).

"For your safety this vehicle will only move with the doors closed" - oh yea??

Overall we weren’t very impressed at all with the games organisation, although watching the gymnastics was great.

The boys from England take their place on the podium

Our evening’s entertainment, post dinner was catching the train to Agra. We were in sleeper class for this trip which caused much amusement amongst the locals that tourist she be down the classes with them. Not a bad journey though, apart from arriving in the middle of the night into Agra.