tagged w/ Commonwealth Games
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After London was announced as the host of the 2012 Olympic Games, Labour made a number of promises about using the Olympics as a way of inspiring people to be more healthy and get involved with sport and exercise. They planned to get a million more people playing sport three or more times a week and to get a million more people doing more general physical activity. Whether it is actually possible for mega events such as the Olympics to have this kind of impact is something which has been contested by a number of studies.
http://www.spectacle.co.uk/spectacleblog/olympics-2012/olympics-could-have-negative-effects-on-sports-participation/After London was announced as the host of the 2012 Olympic Games, Labour made a number... more
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The signs of regeneration are all over Delhi. Billboards proclaim ‘DELHICIOUSLY YOURS’ throughout the city, and it is. The pace of work completed between June and now are staggering – the air-conditioned metro, Delhi’s prize feature, works efficiently; lights decorate various hubs of tourist activity and promote a warm, festive atmosphere; and customs takes only ten minutes to get through, as opposed the the previous hour. These are the positive aspects of regeneration and they indicate how far India can go and how much could have been achieved minus the corruption scandals and the delays.
Walk a few metres away from all of this, however, and you are confronted again with real Delhi – unpaved streets, buildings fallen into disrepair and open sewers perfuming the air. There is no sign, however, of the customary wallahs – the newspapers are full of tales of people returning to collect suits from streetside tailors only to find they have been moved on; cigarette wallahs, barbers, fruit-sellers, as well as beggars and the homeless – all have mysteriously disappeared without trace or concern.
According to some Delhi residents affected by the migration, their maids and their families were simply told to ‘leave Delhi for twenty days’ – the duration of the Games and the days preceding and following. Those who did not comply willingly were forced; shacks burned up in inexplicable circumstances and not all dwellers were recompensed. It is an open secret in Delhi that many of the poor were herded to a large slum outside the city, but it has been made extremely difficult for activists and media workers to photograph or document it, and those living there who have tried to fight back have been effectively dissuaded.
Regeneration is a game, of course, even if its prizes do not glide by neatly on a conveyor belt, and so it follows that not everybody wins.
http://www.spectacle.co.uk/spectacleblog/olympics-2012/the-regeneration-game/The signs of regeneration are all over Delhi. Billboards proclaim ‘DELHICIOUSLY... more
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With the Commonwealth Games slipping into their final days in Delhi, other construction efforts are rushing for completion in a similar manner. Located away from central Delhi, in Kalindi Kunj gardens on the banks of the Yamuna River, the 45m wheel aspires to evoke comparisons with its more famous London counterpart. However, like much of the city, it remains unfinished and unused, with it’s location unknown to most locals and with the RP20 entrance fee to the gardens likely to prevent it being enjoyed by all levels of society.
It does boast one feature that the London Eye doesn’t – a VIP pod equipped (as rumour has it) with a minibar and a television. In case the view from the top proves underwhelming.
http://www.spectacle.co.uk/spectacleblog/olympics-2012/the-delhi-eye-a-symbol-of-innocence-and-inexperience/With the Commonwealth Games slipping into their final days in Delhi, other... more
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India is due to host the 19th Commonwealth Games in 11 days. Instead of a continuation of the initial warm support lauded on the South-Asian country as it takes strides to rank itself amongst the political and economic world players, the tone has turned to one of reservation and, by the frankest commentators, criticism. Given the problems plaguing this autumn’s quadrennial sporting event, it is difficult to know which would be worse: the staging of a Games riddled with disgruntled athletes, dubious infrastructure and security concerns; or a cancellation altogether.
The fact that with less than two weeks to go participating teams are seriously considering not going and there is open talk of cancellation among various sporting authorities suggests that the Unthinkable is actually very thinkable. The unstoppable “inevitablility” of Mega-sporting events is a myth. A dangerous myth because in Delhi (as in Athens 2004) workers have been killed by the ruthless logic of its timetable.
http://www.spectacle.co.uk/spectacleblog/olympics-2012/are-the-commonwealth-games-inevitable/India is due to host the 19th Commonwealth Games in 11 days. Instead of a continuation... more
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Images of the collapsed footbridge neighbouring New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru main stadium have made front-page news across the globe and shone unflattering light on India’s Commonwealth Games preparation. The Games, which are due to begin in under two weeks on the 3rd October, have been dogged by whispers of corruption, corner-cutting and a lack of leadership. Such whispers have recently descended into deafening shouts as concerns are voiced, by laymen and ministers alike, about the quality of construction efforts. Newly-erected buildings have been left in varying states of dilapidation due to annual monsoons, and the athletes’ village has been denounced as unfit for habitation.
It is possible that such a high-profile setback may become a symbol of the dangers of rushing regeneration into cities and societies unready for it, given that it has ultimately caused more destruction than good and more haste has resulted in less speed. Similarly, another footbridge closer to home, though still un-built, has also caused destruction. Manor Gardens in East London, a 100-year-old allotment, was wiped off the map for an Olympic footbridge, and though this footbridge may not fall apart, the loss of this historic and green site is perhaps a troubling indicator in itself of progress for the sake of thinly-defined progress.
If the concept, as well as the spirit of jugad is alive and well (the idea that things will get done, by hook or by crook), then organisers may be hoping that what is quickly turning into a Commonwealth debacle is only an exception that proves the rule.
http://www.spectacle.co.uk/spectacleblog/olympics-2012/the-downside-of-jugad-mega-event-footbridges/Images of the collapsed footbridge neighbouring New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru... more
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A weakly random round up of WTF articles. This week: Anna Chapman is back, a Claymation booty clap, Rachael Ray dresses up as Jessica Rabbit, Wendy Williams fries her wig, a man gets 10 years for Simpson porn, and the What Would Jesus Do thong.A weakly random round up of WTF articles. This week: Anna Chapman is back, a... more
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Delhi holds the spectacular opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Games opening ceremony was held today in New Delhi and was attended by a crowd of 60,000.Delhi holds the spectacular opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games. The... more
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The 150-member military band marches in. Flag bearers of Commonwealth 2010 Games Live nations take their positions, as the Commonwealth 2010 Games Live Federation flag is brought in, and hoisted amid thunderous applause.The 150-member military band marches in. Flag bearers of Commonwealth 2010 Games Live... more
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Commonwealth Games 2010 has been more about scams, scandals, squabbling and a myriad of controversies, rather than the sports itself. Shaking off all the muck associated with the games, MSN India brings to you a dummies guide to the event. Trace the timeline of CWG history, or find out how many medals India won in a decade's participation at the games. We have also compiled the five best moments from the history of CWG.
http://www.sinlung.com/2010/09/all-you-wanted-to-know-about-cwg.htmlCommonwealth Games 2010 has been more about scams, scandals, squabbling and a myriad... more
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Delhi authorities have deployed a contingent of large black-faced langur monkeys at the Commonwealth Games venues to scare away smaller simians.
At least 10 langurs have been on duty outside some of the venues in the Indian capital, reports say.
Delhi civic authorities have 28 langurs and 10 more have been brought in from the neighbouring Rajasthan state.
Thousands of monkeys roam Delhi, mostly around government offices and are considered a public nuisance.
Langurs are an aggressive type of monkey with long tails and dark faces. They are controlled on leads by specially trained handlers, who release them once other monkeys are seen.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11433539Delhi authorities have deployed a contingent of large black-faced langur monkeys at... more
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News on the underbelly of the New Delhi Commonwealth games...worker exploitation and displacement of poor people.News on the underbelly of the New Delhi Commonwealth games...worker exploitation and... more
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Commonwealth Games: an embarrassment for India?
Jonathan Manthorpe and Fazil Mihlar discuss whether the Commonwealth Games turning out to be an embarrassment for India?Commonwealth Games: an embarrassment for India?
Jonathan Manthorpe and Fazil Mihlar... more
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Pressure is growing on India to deal urgently with problems concerning its hosting of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, amid increasing criticism and concerns over hygiene and security.
Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11395475Pressure is growing on India to deal urgently with problems concerning its hosting of... more
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It will be another 10 days before the Commonwealth Games theme song is officially launched but Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman today promised it would be worth the wait as his 'Yaaro India bula liya' would be unlike anything that has happened before.
Rahman said the song would go beyond Shakira's chart-buster for this year's soccer World Cup 'Waka Waka'.
Rahman said the launch of the song will have to wait for some more time because he is still giving some final touches.
Rahman, however, refused to give details about the song beyond the opening line 'Yaaro India bula liya', saying it would be better if it is launched properly.It will be another 10 days before the Commonwealth Games theme song is officially... more
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indude
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added this
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1 year ago
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The group of people behind Manchester's sculpture will have to pay the city council £1.7m after a number of safety problems.
The sculpture, "B of the Bang", is designed to look like an exploding firework and was named after British sprinter Linford Christie's famous saying: "I'll be gone by the B of the Bang."
The sculpture was unveiled in 2005 to mark the city's hosting the 2002 Commonwealth Games, but nine of its 180 steel spikes have been removed after one fell off, raising concerns over safety.
Designer Thomas Heatherwick Studio Ltd agreed to pay the council in an out-of-court settlement.The group of people behind Manchester's sculpture will have to pay the city... more
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ClareW
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added this
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3 years ago
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Pakistan's involvement in the Commonwealth has been suspended "pending restoration of democracy and the rule of law."
Pakistan will be banned from participating in the Commonwealth Games.Pakistan's involvement in the Commonwealth has been suspended "pending... more
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Go Glasgae!! Bring on 2014!!
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