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Pole vault superstar Steve Hooker says he can’t understand some of the high-profile drop outs that have left him standing as arguably the star athlete of the Commonwealth 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.
“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 on Thursday just hours after arriving in India.
“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.”
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.
“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.
Hooker also believes world discus champion Dani Samuels may regret her decision to pull out of the Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Hooker says he feels for Samuels, who agonised for weeks before pulling the pin over health and security fears – cyclist Travis Mayer and table tennis player Stephanie Sang are the only other Australians to have followed her lead and withdrawn – but believes her call may led to personal regret in the future.
“It’s up to everyone to make their own decision whether they are going to attend or not and I totally respect Dani’s decision,” he said.
“Whether that is a decision she will regret in the future or not, that is something that she has got to deal with herself.”
Hooker flew in from London on Thursday morning as part of an Australian track and field team that is still expected to impress in Delhi.
Besides the all conquering pole vault champion, Australia also boasts 100m hurdler Sally Pearson and long jumper Fabrice Lapierre.
But Hooker said Samuels would be missed.
“Dani is a vital member of our team, I think it is a medal that we lose,” he said.
“She was almost a dead certainty to win here.
“So from a performance perspective that is disappointing.
“But she is also a senior member of our team and a real leader so it is a loss from that point of view.
“But that gives other people the opportunity to stand up and probably offers the spotlight to other athletes on the team.”
Hooker admitted other team members had concerns just like Samuels at their pre-Games camp in the UK following a recent shooting attack on tourists outside a Delhi mosque.
“Early on when the shootings happened people had a few concerns but everyone got it out in the open and talked about whatever concerns they had which were minor if anything,” he said.
“And I think we have moved on from that – we are ready to compete.
“The excitement has really been growing over the last couple of days.
“I am looking forward to it, it is going to be fun.”
Hooker was part of the latest contingent of more than 150 Australian athletes to be welcomed to Delhi.
Besides members of the athletics team, the full 52-strong swimming squad flew in from their camp in Malaysia despite admitting to ongoing concerns over safety and health ahead of the Games.
Others to arrive were the world No.1 men’s hockey side and members of the tennis, weightlifting and boxing teams.