Pole vault world champion Steve Hooker says he does not understand why so many athletes have pulled out of the event
While Delhi 2010 has not really managed to attract the ‘big guns’ of the sports world, it certainly looks like those who are here, are having a ball.
And it is not only the organising committee, who are baffled by the number of pull outs. A few athletes too are wondering why their counterparts are giving Delhi a miss.
Australian pole vault superstar Steve Hooker says he is still trying to understand the logic behind dropping out that has left him standing as, arguably, the biggest star of the Games.
The defending Commonwealth, Olympic and world champion carries a pedigree second to none into the Delhi Games, which is reeling from a number of high profile absentees who either opted to skip the meet or pulled out with injury.
“In the end, it’s a personal decision for everyone and I think everyone puts their own value on different competitions, but this is a competition I value very highly,” Hooker said as he took a stroll around the International Zone of the Village.
“I personally can’t understand a lot of the drop-outs because this is something that I’ve been looking forward to a lot. Not just the fact that it’s the Commonwealth Games but also a big championship in India which is exciting, I think,” he told DNA.
Hooker said he was impressed with the facilities at the village. “This is something all of them are missing. I love the food. I haven’t tried a few Indian delicacies yet but I will do that pretty soon. Everything is so beautiful. We are made to feel special, and that is something really great about my stay here so far.”
In the absence of stars including Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Chris Hoy and Stephanie Rice, Hooker will be among the top attractions when the Games commence on Sunday.
But rather than be daunted by the weight of expectation on his shoulders, Hooker plans to use his success on the big stage to his advantage.
“Some people say you’re a gold medallist, do you feel more pressure going into a competition?” he said adding “For me that just means I know that I’ve been able to do it in the past, so it takes a bit of pressure off me, as I know that I’ve done it before and it’s something I know how to do.”
Hooker said he was mentally and physically fatigued after a tough year and was focusing solely on bagging a gold medal rather than jumping any particular height.
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