The 2010 Commonwealth Games are now underway in Delhi. In the months leading up to the games it appeared things went from bad to worse for the host nation.
From terrorist threats, unfinished venues, infrastructure collapsing, to dengue fever raising health concerns, all these issues had many questioning whether the games should go ahead.
People, thus, were wondering if the athletes were even going to show, but it now seems we should have been wondering if the spectators would.
We’re now into day five of the Games, and while some of the other issues still remain, the most embarrassing image is the rows of empty seats.
Health issues are still a concern with reports 40 British swimmers are suffering from “Delhi belly”. A delay in the men’s 4×100 relay final because of debris in the pool believed to be from the roof also wasn’t the best look.
But when images of Australia’s medal haul is broadcast back home, it’s impossible not to notice the lack of people cheering on our sports stars.
India has the world’s second largest population, with an estimated 1.4 billion people. The country’s capital, and Games host city Delhi has a population of 14 million. Despite this, only 58 people were interested enough to see Australia take on Samoa in the Games’ opening netball match.
Even at the shooting range where India has performed well, there are suggestions little over 30 people were in attendance to see India take gold.
While we can’t expect India to embrace sports it has no interest in, it is disappointing to see so many sports with no support. An Australia versus India cricket series in India certainly isn’t stealing the Games crowds, with lacklustre attendances for the Test series despite being India’s national sport.
The best Games crowd so far was seen at last night’s hockey between Australia and India.
In August only two per cent of tickets had been sold, most of these for the opening and closing ceremonies. The Opening Ceremony was a sellout at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and suggested these games just may prove us all wrong.
But when competition got underway, the crowds went missing. Organisers were quick to point out it was only day one, but this is a cop out with gold medal events scheduled the first day of competition.
The cost of the games to India is an estimated $A6.8 billion making it the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever. With 41 per cent of Indians living in poverty and unable to afford tickets the cost of these games appears to be money wasted.
It’s not just the spectators uninterested, however. Jamaican sprinter and 100m world record holder Usain Bolt bypassed the event, robbing the Games of a genuine crowd puller. The Commonwealth Games’ standing just doesn’t rate for many athletes.
Australia as expected is dominating the medal tally, but television ratings have been the lowest in decades adding to the lack of interest.
Every four years the relevance of the Games is debated, but the show always goes on. Declining television viewers, athletes uninterested in attending, and non-existent crowds …
For how long will the Games survive?
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