Kalmadi non- committal in staging Olympics

OC chief satisfied with the performance of Indian athletes

PTI | October 12, 2010



After an extremely bitter experience in hosting the controversy-ridden Commonwealth Games, Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi today appeared non-committal in staging his dream event Olympics.

Having earlier said the Olympics would be next on their agenda, Kalmadi today put a question mark as to when they could bid for the biggest sporting extravaganza.

Asked whether India was now getting ready for the Olympics after hosting the Commonwealth Games, Kalmadi said, "Well I have a dream (of getting Olympics to India), but I don't know when..."

"I will decide after the Commonwealth Games. Let's see when we can get Olympics. We have to speak to the Governement after the Games," Kalmadi said at the daily media interaction at the Main Press Centre.

But he said Delhi had become a global city, making them ready for the Games.

To a particular question whether foreign media were extremely bias and anti-India in being criticial of the Games, Kalmadi chose to play it safe, avoiding any fresh controversy.

"No comments," said Kalmadi.

Asked by saying 'no comments' he agreed to the allegation of foreign media being anti-India, Kalmadi said, "I said no comments, that does mean I agree to what is being said."

Kalmadi further said it was very satisfying to see the performance of Indian athletes who are hanging on to their second-place in the Games medals tally.

"The number of the medals this time is the highest. The government had sanctioned a lot of money for preparation of Indian athletes.

"They were given a lot of international exposure, better facilites, training abroad, better coaches... We are trying for a second spot. So far we are on the second spot, hope it continues.

"The biggest legacy is Olympic sport but most of the youngsters are tuned to cricket which is played by 10 countries.

"Olympic sport is a global sport. We are trying to make a lot of new icons to lead the youth of India and this is being achieved. I am happy about it."

 

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