Commonwealth Games: Indian fans rue about what could have been

Imagine this — A mad rush for tickets at the Commonwealth Games. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is packed. There are as many people inside the stadium as outside. It’s not a vague dream.

This scenario could very well have been a reality, but for the participation of one name — Usain Bolt. This is the kind of impact the Jamaican’s presence would have made on the Delhi Games.

Sadly, for the Indian fans, the opportunity to watch the greatest athlete on Planet Earth has gone abegging as the sprint king decided to give the event a miss.

As one sits and goes through the long list of big names who have decided to opt out of the 2010 CWG, one can’t help but reflect at what could have been.

Athletics, the mother of all events, has taken the biggest hit as Bolt’s rival and fellow-Jamaican Asafa Powell too has pulled out, so has England’s Dwain Chambers. Also absent will be top women’s sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown (Jamaica), the Olympic 200m champion; reigning women’s World and European heptathlon champion, Jessica Ennis (England).

The top two names in men’s tennis are also not participating —Britain’s Andy Murray (finalist at 2010 Australian Open and 2008 US Open) and Lleyton Hewitt (former world No.1 and a two-time Grand Slam winner). Cycling’s biggest name, Scotland’s Chris Hoy, the four-time Olympic champion will also not be here.

Women’s swimming star Stephanie Rice (Australia) too is not coming.

“If Bolt had been there, the event would have been raised to a different level. His participation would have lifted the interest in the Games sky high,” said former hockey international Joaquim Carvalho, who participated in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and had seen the impact, a certain Carl Lewis had in the event’s success. “I would not have missed the athletics event at any cost if Bolt would have been there. That is where the organising committee failed. They should have done everything to get him here. The field would not have been strong but one Bolt would have made all the difference,” said Carvalho.

More than the scandals and controversies, the lack of star quality is what has taken the sheen off the CWG. Imagine the atmosphere around the Games Village if Bolt, Powell, Murray and Hewitt were staying there.

For a nation starved of elite sports events, save cricket, seeing these star athletes compete would have been a once in a lifetime experience for the fans. For all the economic boom, India is yet to become a destination for the truly global sports icons.

Lewis Hamilton, Diego Forlan, Diego Maradona paid a visit but for promotional events. Oliver Kahn and Pele played here but in exhibition games, and Carl Lewis came here when he was well past his prime. Asian Games in 1982 is the best event Indians have got to see.

“The Indian public gets to see only fading stars in action. All the big names come here when they are past their prime. Lewis came here when he was well past his best. But, Bolt is at his prime now,” said Carvalho.

Imagine the lift it would have given to the ticket sales. The field may be quite strong in most events now too, but the recognisable names, which are so important to fill the galleries, are missing.

Mumbai-based athletics coach Ajit Kulkarni, who trains Siddhant Thingalaya, the only athlete (110m hurdles) from the city participating at CWG, said Bolt’s sheer presence is overwhelming.
“Bolt is not only a champion athlete but a great showman. He creates a sensational atmosphere with his antics starting from holding a ‘bow and arrow’ to break into a dance and wave to the crowds. Bolt’s presence would have given a great fillip to athletics in India,” said Kulkarni.