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2010 Commonwealth Games
2010 Commonwealth Games
2010 Commonwealth Games
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XIX Commonwealth Games
Logo of the 2010 Commonwealth Games
Host cityDelhi, India
MottoCome out and play
Nations71 Commonwealth Teams
Athletes4,352
Events272 events in 21 disciplines[1]
Opening3 October 2010
Closing14 October 2010
Opened byCharles, Prince of Wales and Pratibha Patil, President of India
Closed byPrince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Athlete's OathAbhinav Bindra
Queen's Baton Final RunnerSushil Kumar
AnthemJiyo Utho Badho Jeeto (AR Rahman)
Main venueJawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Websitewww.CWGDelhi2010.org
← XVIII
XX →
Logo of the Commonwealth Games Federation
Part of a series on
2010 Commonwealth Games

The 2010 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Delhi 2010,[2] were an international multi-sport event for the members of the Commonwealth that was held in Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010. A total of 4352 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies competed in 21 sports and 272 events, making it the largest Commonwealth Games to date. It was also the largest international multi-sport event to be staged in Delhi and India, eclipsing the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. The opening and closing ceremonies were held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main stadium of the event.

It was the first time that the Commonwealth Games were held in India and the second time they were held in Asia after Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998. The official mascot of the Games was Shera and the official song of the Games, "Jiyo Utho Badho Jeeto", was composed by Academy and Grammy awardee Indian recording artist A.R. Rahman.

Preparation for the Games received widespread international media attention, with criticism being levelled against the organisers for the slow pace of work, as well as issues related to security and hygiene. In spite of threats of boycotts and athlete withdrawals however, all member nations of the Commonwealth of Nations participated in the event, with the exceptions of Fiji, which is suspended from the Commonwealth, and Tokelau, which didn't send a team.

The internationally acclaimed opening ceremony improved the image of the Games,[3][4] and dispelled negative notions surrounding them, with many observers remarking that they began on an apprehensive note, but were an exceptional experience with a largely positive ending.[5] The President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, said that India had made a good foundation for a future Olympics bid, which was reiterated by the Australian Minister of Sports.[6][7] Commonwealth games Federation chief Mike Fennell stated that "Delhi delivered a fantastic Games".[8] Some observers accused sections of the media of bias, unfair expectations, and negative reporting.[9]

The final medal tally was led by Australia with 74 golds and 177 most medals overall. The host nation India achieved its best performance ever at the Commonwealth Games, finishing second overall by winning 38 golds and 101 total medals.

Host selection

[edit]

Delhi was selected as the host city of the 2010 Commonwealth Games on 14 November 2003 during the CGF General Assembly in Montego Bay, Jamaica, defeating bid from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.[10] India's bid motto was New Frontiers and Friendships.[11]

India shifted the balance in its favour in the second round of voting with a promise that it would provide US$100,000 to each participating country, along with air tickets, boarding, lodging and transport.[12] The successful 2003 Afro-Asian Games held in Hyderabad was also seen as having shown that India has the resources, infrastructure and technical know-how to stage a big sporting event.[13] Meanwhile, Hamilton struggled with the notion a country would not be awarded two major multi-sport events in the same year, after Vancouver was awarded the 2010 Winter Olympics earlier in the year.[14]

Delhi bid for the 1990 and 1994 Commonwealth Games but lost to Auckland and Victoria respectively. The Hamilton bid was Canada's attempt to hold the games for the fifth time.[15][16]

2010 Commonwealth Games bidding results
City Country Votes
Delhi India 46
Hamilton Canada 22

Development and preparation

[edit]

Organising committee

[edit]
Main Building of the Organising Committee of the 2010 Commonwealth Games

The organisation of 2010 Commonwealth Games was beset by delays: in January 2010, the Indian Olympic Association vice-chairman Raja Randhir Singh expressed concern that Delhi was not up to speed in forming and organising its games committee and, following a 2009 Indian Government report showing two-thirds of venues were behind schedule, Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell stated that the slow progress of preparations represented a serious risk to the event.[17] Singh also called for a revamp of the games' organising committees:[18] Jarnail Singh, a former Secretary of the Government of India, was appointed as the chief executive officer and Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi was appointed as head of the committee. In spite of delays and the corruption cases levied on the organisers, commentators stated that they were confident that India will successfully host the games and do so on time.[19][20]

At the launch of the Queen's Baton Relay in October 2009, the Business Club of India (BCI) was formed through the partnership of the organising committee, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The BCI was formed to both market the Games and promote Indian business interests internationally.[21]

Venues

[edit]
Main article: Venues of the 2010 Commonwealth Games
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
The main venue of the Games, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium

Events took place at 12 competition venues. A total of 20 training venues were used in the Games. Of these 20, one was used for archery; three for aquatics; two for lawn bowls; two for netball; eight for rugby sevens, including seven venues within Delhi University; two for shooting; one for squash; two for table tennis; one for weightlifting, three for wrestling and two for tennis.[22]

A total of five venues were newly constructed for the event; the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, the Siri Fort Sports Complex, the Thyagaraj Sports Complex, the Yamuna Sports Complex as well as a rugby sevens facility in Delhi University Stadium. This does not include the two venues—the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium—that received major renovations or an uplift. All other venues had existed prior to the event. The largest venue was the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, with a capacity of 60,000, was the main venue of the event, hosting both the opening and the closing ceremonies. On the other hand, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Shooting Range located in Kadarpur had the smallest seating capacity, at 345.

There were three main non-competition venues in the event, besides the Commonwealth Games Village; namely the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Headquarters, the Main Media Centre, and the Games Family Hotel, Hotel Ashok.

Commonwealth Games Village

[edit]
Main article: 2010 Commonwealth Games Village
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. M.S. Gill meeting the members of Northern Ireland at the Games Village

The Commonwealth Games Village provided accommodation and training for athletes of the Games, and was opened from 23 September to 18 October 2010. It is located along the east bank of the River Yamuna, in proximity to competition and training venues as well as city landmarks, and is spread over an area of 63.5 hectares (157 acres). Comprising five main zones—the Residential Zone, the International Zone, the Training Area, the Main Dining and the Operational Zone—the Games Village, which was a non-smoking zone,[23] was universally accessible particularly to accommodate para-sport athletes.[24] Free accommodation for all athletes at the Games Village, as well as free transport and other benefits, such as a free trip to the famed Taj Mahal and a reserved lane for participants on selected highways were provided.[25] The Games Village accommodated over 8,000 athletes and officials for the Games.

Budget

[edit]

The initial total budget estimated by the Indian Olympic Association in 2003 for hosting the Games was ₹16.2 billion (US$190 million). In 2010, however, the official total budget soon escalated to an estimated ₹115 billion (US$1.4 billion), a figure which excluded non-sports-related infrastructure development.[26] Business Today magazine estimated that the Games cost ₹700 billion (US$8.3 billion).[27] The 2010 Commonwealth Games was reportedly the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever.[28]

Transport

[edit]
Further information: Transport in Delhi
Delhi metro
Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport

A four-lane flyway, 2.2 km (1.4 mi) stretch from Lodi Road to trans-Yamuna, linking the Games Village to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was constructed which reduced the travelling time between the village and the Stadium to six minutes.

In response to concerns over the large number of trains that pass by the Delhi metropolitan region daily, construction of road under-bridges and over-bridges along railway lines have been completed. To expand road infrastructure, flyovers, cloverleaf flyovers, and bridges were built to improve links for the Games and city in general. Road-widening projects were finished with an emphasis being placed on expanding national highways. To improve traffic flow on existing roads, plans were made to make both the inner and outer Ring roads signal free.

To support its commitment to mass transport, nine corridors have been identified and were constructed as High Capacity Bus Systems (for example, one from Ambedkar Nagar to Red Fort). Six of these corridors were expected to be operational in 2010. Additionally, The Delhi Metro was expanded to accommodate more people and boost the use of public transport during the event. The metro has extended to Gurgaon and the Noida area. For this large increase in the size of the network, Delhi Metro had deployed 14 tunnel boring machines.[29] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) was used to tag vehicles in venue parking lots to help organise mass parking and increase security.[30]

Indira Gandhi International Airport was modernised, expanded, and upgraded. Costing nearly $1.95 billion, Terminal 3 has increased airport passenger capacity to more than 37 million passengers a year by 2010. A new runway has been constructed, allowing for more than 75 flights an hour. At more than 4400 metres long, it is one of Asia's longest. The airport has been connected to the city via a six-lane expressway (Delhi–Gurgaon Expressway) and the $580 million Delhi Airport Metro Express line.[31]

Logo for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games being recognised as the first ever "Green Commonwealth Games"

Green Games

[edit]

The organisers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Environment Programme to show the intention to host a "sustainable games" and to take the environment into consideration when constructing and renovating venues. Thyagaraj Stadium is intended to be a key example of environmentally considered construction.

In opposition to this intention, a number of environmental controversies arose and the adverse ecological impact of various aspects of the games have been protested by city residents.[32][33] City residents filed a public interest petition to the Supreme Court of India against the felling of 'heritage' trees in the Siri Fort area to make way for Games facilities. The court appointed architect Charles Correa to assess the impact and he severely criticised the designs on ecological grounds.[34] In spite of this, in April 2009 the Supreme Court allowed the construction on the grounds that "much time had been lost" and "the damage already caused to the environment could not be undone".[35][36]

The Commonwealth Games village, located on the flood plains of the Yamuna, has also been the subject of controversies about the flouting of ecological norms.[37] After a prolonged legal battle between city residents and the state, construction was permitted to continue on the basis of an order of the Supreme Court of India in July 2009, which held that the government had satisfied the requirements of "due process of the law" by issuing public notice of its intention to begin construction work in September 1999 (a date four years prior to the acceptance of Delhi's bid for the games).[38]

Queen's baton relay

[edit]
The 2010 Queen's Baton Relay inauguration at Buckingham Palace in London, United Kingdom
Mr. Mike Fennel, President of the CGF hands over the Baton to Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi at Wagah Border, Punjab

The Queen's Baton Relay began when the baton, which contains Elizabeth II's message to the athletes, left Buckingham Palace on 29 October 2009. The baton arrived at the 2010 Games opening ceremony on 3 October 2010, after visiting the other 54 nations of the Commonwealth and travelling throughout India, reaching millions of people to join in the celebrations for the Games. The baton arrived in India on 25 June 2010 through the Wagah Border crossing from Pakistan.[39]

The baton was designed by Michael Foley of Foley Designs and a graduate of the National Institute of Design.[40] It is a triangular section of aluminium twisted into a helix shape and then coated with coloured soils collected from all the regions of India. The coloured soils are a first for the styling of a Queen's Baton. A jewel-encrusted box was used to house the Queen's message, which was laser-engraved onto a miniature 18 carat gold leaf—representative of the ancient Indian 'patras. The Queen's baton is ergonomically contoured for ease of use. It is 664 millimetres (26.1 in) high, 34 millimetres (1.3 in) wide at the base, and 86 millimetres (3.4 in) wide at the top and weighs 1,900 grams (67 oz).

The Queen's baton has a number of technological features including:

  • The ability to capture images and sound
  • Global positioning system (GPS) technology so the baton's location can be tracked
  • Embedded light emitting diodes (LEDs) which changed into the colours of that country's flag whilst in that country
  • A text messaging capability so that people can send messages of congratulations and encouragement to the baton bearers throughout the relay

Other preparation

[edit]

In preparation for an influx of English-speaking tourists for the Games, the Delhi government implemented a program to teach English, and the necessary skills for serving tourists, to key workers—such as cab drivers, security workers, waiters, porters, and service staff. In the two years prior to the Games 2000 drivers were taught English. In addition to Delhi, the Indian Government plans to expand the program to teach people in local tourist destinations in other parts of India.[41]

HOHO Delhi Bus Inauguration in Delhi

To facilitate hassle-free sightseeing in Delhi, Delhi Tourism undertook the launch of India's very first Hop on Hop Off bus known as HOHO DELHI, modelled on popular concept of transport facilities in Western countries. The bus, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies like digital video screens and GPS systems, also had trained guides who were responsible for giving information about the sites.

To prepare for the energy-usage spike during the games and to end chronic power cuts in Delhi, the government undertook a large power-production initiative to increase power production to 7000 MW (from the previous 4500 MW). To achieve this the government streamlined the power distribution process, directed additional energy to Delhi, and constructed new power plants.[42]

Ministry of Railways run a special Commonwealth Express train for foreign delegates and participants to visit Taj Mahal at Agra during the Games

Indian states trained state police forces to handle tourist-related issues and deploy them prior to the Games. A large-scale construction and "beautification" project has resulted in the demolition of hundreds of homes and the displacement of city dwellers—at least 100,000 of New Delhi's 160,000 homeless people have removed from shelters, some of which have been demolished.[43][44] Bamboo screens have been erected around city slums to separate visitors from the sights of the slums,[45] a practice which human rights campaigners have deemed dishonest and immoral.[46]

The Delhi High Court implemented a series of "mobile courts" to be dispatched throughout Delhi to relocate migrant beggars from Delhi streets. The mobile courts would consider each beggar on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the beggar should be sent back to his/her state of residence, or be permitted to remain in government-shelters.[47]

Opening ceremony

[edit]
Main article: 2010 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony
The 2010 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

The opening ceremony was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main stadium of the event, in New Delhi, India. It began at 19:00  (IST) on 3 October.[48] The opening ceremony was directed by Ganapathy Bharat, known commonly as Bharat Bala, an acclaimed Tamil film director, screenwriter and film producer based in Kodambakkam, Chennai. The ceremony featured over 8,000 performers, and lasted for two-and-a-half hours.[49] It is estimated that ₹ 3.50 billion (US$77 million) were spent to produce the ceremony.[50]

Swagatham presentation at the opening ceremony

The ceremony was divided into six separate segments, each showcasing the rich, ancient and diverse cultures of India, including art, traditions, dances, music and colours. It began with a showcase of a variety of drummers from all parts of India, accompanied by seven-year-old tabla player Keshav. The countdown took place on a screen in the stadium, and was accompanied by fireworks. The centerpiece of the ceremony was the helium aerostat, which acted as a giant 360° screen for spectators. The ceremony showcased a fusion of various classical dances from all parts of India, mehendi decorations, sand paintings and yoga. The title song was performed by A R Rahman. Singer Hariharan sang the welcome song for the Games, titled "Swagatam", with thousands of school children.[51]

The Prince of Wales (now Charles III; representing Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth) and President of India Pratibha Patil officially declared the Games open.[52] Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the host nation, India, attended the opening ceremony as well. A total of three heads of state from outside India attended the opening ceremony; two from Commonwealth nations and one from a non-Commonwealth nation. The three head of states were Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Maldives, Marcus Stephen, President of Nauru and a multiple Commonwealth gold medallist, and Albert II, Prince of Monaco, representing the International Olympic Committee.[53] As well, Sir Anand Satyanand, the Governor General of New Zealand, attended the ceremony.[54]

Closing ceremony

[edit]
Main article: 2010 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony
Closing ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games

The closing ceremony featuring both Indian and Scottish performers.[55][56] The closing ceremony was not as well received as the opening ceremony.[57] The Commonwealth Games flag was handed over to representatives of Glasgow, Scotland, which hosted the XX Commonwealth Games in 2014. At the closing ceremony, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation declared that Delhi had hosted a "truly exceptional Games".[58] A day after the ceremony, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond stated that

Scotland is highly impressed with Delhi's success in holding the multi-sport event, Delhi hosted a very successful Commonwealth Games. It will be a challenge to emulate.

— Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland[59]

The Games

[edit]

Participating Commonwealth Games Associations

[edit]

There were 71 participating nations at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. As Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth, it was banned from participating in the Games.[60] Rwanda fielded a team for the games for the first time after becoming a Commonwealth member in 2009.[61] The numbers of athletes from each country is shown in brackets.

Participating Commonwealth countries and territories

Sports

[edit]

There were events in 21 disciplines across 17 sports for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Kabaddi was a demonstration sport at the Games.[130]

Triathlon was excluded from the games as there was no suitable location for the swimming stage.[131] The organisers have also removed basketball, but included archery, tennis and wrestling. Cricket, although in strong demand, did not make a comeback as the Board of Control for Cricket in India were not keen on a Twenty20 tournament, and the organisers did not want a one day tournament.[132]

Calendar

[edit]
OC Opening ceremony ● Event competitions 1 Gold medal events CC Closing ceremony
October 3
Sun 		4
Mon 		5
Tue 		6
Wed 		7
Thu 		8
Fri 		9
Sat 		10
Sun 		11
Mon 		12
Tue 		13
Wed 		14
Thu 		Events
Ceremonies OC CC —
Archery ● ● ● 2 2 2 2 8
Athletics 2 7 8 9 8 7 9 2 52
Badminton ● ● ● ● 1 ● ● ● ● ● 5 6
Boxing ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 10 10
Cycling Road cycling 2 2 4
Track cycling 3 4 4 3 14
Diving 3 2 3 2 10
Gymnastics Artistic 1 1 2 5 5 14
Rhythmic 1 1 4 6
Hockey ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 1 1 2
Lawn bowls ● ● ● ● ● ● 2 2 ● 2 6
Netball ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 1 1
Rugby sevens ● 1 1
Shooting ● 4 4 4 5 4 3 2 4 6 36
Squash ● ● ● ● 2 ● ● 3 5
Swimming 5 5 9 5 11 9 44
Synchronised swimming ● 2 2
Table tennis ● ● ● ● 1 1 ● ● 1 2 3 8
Tennis ● ● ● ● ● 2 3 5
Weightlifting 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 17
Wrestling 3 4 4 3 3 4 21
Daily medal events 8 18 27 35 43 32 29 14 21 29 16 272
Cumulative total 8 26 53 88 131 163 192 206 227 256 272
October 3
Sun 		4
Mon 		5
Tue 		6
Wed 		7
Thu 		8
Fri 		9
Sat 		10
Sun 		11
Mon 		12
Tue 		13
Wed 		14
Thu 		Events

Medal table

[edit]
Medalists of the Badminton mixed team competition at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. From left: India (silver), Malaysia (gold), and England (bronze).
Medalists of the 10-metre air pistol pairs women at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. From left: Dina Aspandiyarova, Pamela McKenzie, Heena Sidhu, Annu Raj Singh, Dorothy Ludwig, and Lynda Hare.
Main article: 2010 Commonwealth Games medal table

Only the top ten nations by medal rank are shown in this medal table. Nations are ranked first by count of gold medals, then silver medals, then bronze medals.

The ranking in this table is consistent with International Olympic Committee convention in its published medal tables. By default, the table is ordered by the number of gold medals the athletes from a nation have won (in this context, a "nation" is an entity represented by an NOC). The number of silver medals is taken into consideration next and then the number of bronze medals. If nations are still tied, equal ranking is given and they are listed alphabetically by IOC country code.

In Boxing two bronze medals were awarded in each weight class. Additionally there was a tie of three athletes for the third place in the women's pole vault in athletics meant that three bronze medals were awarded. Therefore, the total number of bronze medals is greater than the total number of gold or silver medals.[133]

  *   Host nation (India)

RankCGAGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 Australia745548177
2 India*382736101
3 England376045142
4 Canada26173275
5 Kenya12111033
 South Africa12111033
7 Malaysia12101335
8 Singapore1111931
9 Nigeria11101435
10 Scotland910726
11–36Remaining305357140
Totals (36 entries)272275281828
Source: [134]

Podium sweeps

[edit]
Date Sport Event Team Gold Silver Bronze
6 October Swimming Women's 200 metre breaststroke  Australia Leisel Jones Tessa Wallace Sarah Katsoulis
6 October Gymnastics Women's artistic individual all-around  Australia Lauren Mitchell Emily Little Georgia Bonora
8 October Squash Men's singles  England Nick Matthew James Willstrop Peter Barker
8 October Athletics Men's 110 metres hurdles  England Andy Turner William Sharman Lawrence Clarke
9 October Athletics Women's 3000 metres steeplechase  Kenya Milcah Chemos Cheywa Mercy Wanjiru Njoroge Gladys Jerotich Kipkemoi
10 October Athletics Men's 800 metres  Kenya Boaz Lalang Richard Kiplagat Abraham Kiplagat
11 October Athletics Men's 3000 metres steeplechase  Kenya Richard Mateelong Ezekiel Cheboi Brimin Kipruto
11 October Athletics Women's discus throw  India Krishna Poonia Harwant Kaur Seema Antil
12 October Powerlifting Women's Open bench press  Nigeria Esther Oyema Ganiyatu Onaolapo Osamwenyobor Araspmwan
12 October Powerlifting Men's Open bench press  Nigeria Yakubu Adesokan Anthony Ulonnam Ikechukwu Obichukwu
12 October Table tennis Women's singles  Singapore Feng Tianwei Yu Mengyu Wang Yuegu
12 October Athletics Women's 5000 metres  Kenya Vivian Cheruiyot Sylvia Kibet Ines Chenonge

Broadcasting

[edit]

The host broadcast activities were provided by SIS Live, the production house,[135] in partnership with Prasar Bharati, the host broadcaster, which includes Doordarshan.[136]

In New Zealand, the rights were first won by TVNZ.[137] In September 2009, it was reported that TVNZ were seeking to offload the rights to SKY TV to avoid a NZ$5 million loss in the event,[138] and the deal was confirmed in January 2010, backed by the country's government.[139][140] Although Sky is a pay television broadcaster, they still promised that the coverage would be broadcast free-to-air.[141]

Territory Broadcaster Ref
 Asia APBU [142]
Australia
[143][144]
Canada CBC [145]
 Caribbean CMC [142]
Cyprus CyBC [142]
 Europe EBU
India
[146]
Malaysia
[147][148]
Namibia nbc [142]
New Zealand
[139]
Nigeria BON [142]
 Pacific Islands
[139]
Papua New Guinea
[139]
Seychelles SBC [142]
Singapore MediaCorp [149]
South Africa
[142][150]
 Sub-Saharan Africa
[142][150]
Tanzania TBC [142]
United Kingdom BBC [151]
United States Video Sound Inc. [142]

Marketing

[edit]

Motto

[edit]

The official motto for the 2010 Commonwealth Games was "Come out and play". It was chosen to represent the invitation of the athletes from the Commonwealth member countries to participate in the games and achieve success as well as the call of the Indian people to support their country's hosting of the games.[152]

[edit]

The logo of the 2010 Commonwealth Games is an image of Chakra, India's national symbol of freedom, unity, power and progress. The silhouette of the figures spiralling upwards from the Chakra, represents the growth of India into a vibrant nation and the games motto, Come out and play. The logo consists of six colours which are green, red, yellow, blue, purple and pink. Green represents life, energy, high spirits, the 2010 games as a green games and determination in overcoming challenges, purple represents reassurance, mystery and excitement, red represents unity, yellow represents destiny, blue represents equality while pink represents luxury and surprise.[152]

Mascot

[edit]
Shera, mascot of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi taking a ride on Dal Lake in Srinagar.

The official mascot for the 2010 Commonwealth Games was Shera, an anthropomorphised tiger.[153] His name comes from "Sher", a Hindi word meaning tiger (Hindi "Bagh" means tiger, however, Sher can be colloquially used for both lion and tiger). Shera is described as being the older brother of Jigrr, the mascot of the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games. The logo and the look for the games were designed by Idiom Design and Consulting. There is one song for Shera also composed by the popular composer of India the song contains initiative "Shera Shera"[154][155]

Sponsors

[edit]
Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman of Organising Committee of 2010 Commonwealth Games and Mr. Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO of Hero Honda signing an MoU on the major private sector partner for the Games

Indian Railways served as the lead partner of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.[156] Central Bank of India, Air India and NTPC Limited served as the official partners for banking,[157] airline[158] and power[159] respectively. Hero Honda was the official motorcycle partner as well as the presenting partner of the Queen's Baton Relay.[160][161][162] Tata Motors served as the vehicle transport sponsor by providing vehicles and its maintenance services during the Queen's Baton Relay.[163][164] Swiss watchmaker Tissot was the official timekeeper sponsor of the games.[165]

Sponsors of the 2010 Commonwealth Games[166]
Lead Partner
Partners
Sponsors
Co-Sponsors

Official song

[edit]
Main article: Jiyo Utho Badho Jeeto

The official song of the 2010 Commonwealth Games "Jiyo Utho Badho Jeeto" was composed and performed by the Indian musician A. R. Rahman.[167] The song's title is based on the slogan of the games, "Come out and play". The song was written by Mehboob in Hindi with a sprinkling of English words. It was released on 28 August 2010. The music video, directed by Bharath Bala was released on 23 September and featured a shorter version of the song. A. R. Rahman also gave a live concert for the theme song in Gurgaon, Haryana, which was previewed on various news channels. The official video of the song has been released on YouTube. However this song was not much appreciated by the people[168] as it was being compared with 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa's official song Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) of Shakira.

Concerns and controversies

[edit]
Main article: Concerns and controversies over the 2010 Commonwealth Games

Several concerns were raised over the preparations of the Games and these included excessive budget overruns,[169] likelihood of floods in Delhi due to heavy monsoon rains, infrastructural compromise, poor living conditions at the Games Village, delays in construction of the main Games' venues,[170][171] the withdrawal of prominent athletes,[172] widespread corruption by officials of the Games' Organising Committee[173] and the possibility of a terrorist attack.[174]

The negative pre-event publicity and heavy security presence played a part in low spectator attendance during the initial events. However the numbers picked up as the Games progressed.[citation needed]

Formation of investigation committee

[edit]

The day after the conclusion of the Games, the Indian Government announced the formation of a special committee to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement against the Organising Committee. The probe committee will be led by former Comptroller and Auditor General of India VK Shunglu. This probe will be in addition to the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, and Central Vigilance Commission investigations already underway. The Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh had promised in mid-August, when reports of the bungling first surfaced, that corrupt officials will be given "severe and exemplary" punishment after the Games. The probe committee is tasked with looking into "all aspects of organising and conducting" the Games, and "to draw lessons from it." It was given three months to submit its report, but the report was never publicly released.[175][176] The Indian Sports Ministry directed the Organising Committee of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to not release any staffer from their positions until the probe committee's work is finished.[citation needed]

Legacy

[edit]

One of the aims of hosting the Commonwealth Games was to build world-class athletics infrastructure within the country, expose audiences to top-level non-cricket competition and encourage the youth to "Come out and play" (the official theme of the games).[177] Building a sporting culture that looks beyond cricket is seen as an important task for a country which won its first ever individual Olympic gold medal in Beijing 2008, despite having the world's second-largest population.[178]

Sebastian Coe, former Olympic gold medalist and chairman of the 2012 Summer Olympics Organising Committee, was at the stadium during the 4 × 400 metre women's relay and described the audience's cheers for the racers as "potentially the moment that could change the course of athletics in Asia, the moment that could inspire thousands of people who'd never even seen an athletics track before to get involved... To build a truly global capacity in sport, you have to take it round the world – out of your own backyard. That means taking risks and facing challenges, but it has to be done."

The country will again stage the Commonwealth Games in 2030, this time held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.[179]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2010 Commonwealth Games

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The 2010 Commonwealth Games, officially the XIX Commonwealth Games, was a for athletes from Commonwealth nations and territories, held in , , from 3 to 14 October 2010. Competitors from 71 nations participated in 21 sports across 272 events at various venues in the city. dominated the medal table with 74 gold medals and 177 medals overall, while host nation recorded its strongest performance ever at the Commonwealth Games, earning 38 golds and 101 medals total to claim second place—a record that remains unbeaten as of 2025. secured third position with 37 golds. The Games marked India's first hosting of the event and the largest edition by number of events, but preparations were hampered by extensive construction delays, infrastructure inadequacies, and severe budget overruns that escalated costs from an initial estimate of around 16 billion rupees to over 400 billion rupees. These issues, compounded by allegations of widespread in contract awards and procurement, led to international criticism, athlete withdrawals, and subsequent legal actions against organizing committee officials, including the arrest of chairman on graft charges. Despite the turmoil, the event proceeded successfully in terms of competition outcomes and showcased improvements in India's sports infrastructure, such as upgraded stadiums and transport facilities that endured beyond the Games.

Bidding and Host Selection

Selection Process and Competition

The selection of the host city for the 2010 Commonwealth Games was conducted by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) through a voting at its . Bids are evaluated based on criteria including infrastructure readiness, financial commitments, and organizational capacity, with member associations casting votes among eligible Commonwealth nations. For the 2010 edition, the primary competitors were , , and Hamilton, , following an evaluation report released by the CGF on October 9, 2003, which assessed both bids' feasibility for hosting the . Delhi's bid emphasized India's growing economic stature and commitment to sports development, promising investments in venues and transport infrastructure. In a final push during the assembly, Delhi officials pledged US$100,000 to each of the 72 CGF member associations, totaling US$7.2 million, to support their participation in future Games. This financial incentive was highlighted as a distinguishing factor in the competitive bidding. Hamilton's proposal, backed by prior Canadian hosting experience, focused on cost efficiency and existing facilities but lacked comparable additional funding commitments. On November 14, 2003, at the CGF General Assembly in , , secured the hosting rights with 46 votes to Hamilton's 22, marking as the second Asian nation to host after in 1998. The vote reflected confidence in 's assurances of delivering a Games for approximately 5,500 athletes from over 70 nations, despite concerns over timelines for upgrades in a developing economy. No other bids advanced to the final vote, as initial interest from cities like , , did not progress beyond preliminary stages due to security and infrastructural evaluations.

Delhi's Bid Rationale and Promises

Delhi's bid for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, submitted by the , sought to host the event for the first time in the , positioning it as a for India's growing global influence and commitment to elevating its sports infrastructure. The bid rationale centered on accelerating urban development in the capital, fostering a national sports culture amid India's , and demonstrating organizational capability to host major international events, which had previously eluded the country beyond the . Proponents argued that the Games would catalyze investments in facilities that could support future bids, such as for the Olympics, while promoting unity through the motto "New Frontiers and Friendships." Key promises in the bid document included a projected budget of approximately $340–422 million (Rs 1,620–1,820 ), largely funded by central and state governments, to upgrade existing venues like Stadium and construct new ones meeting international standards for 17 sports disciplines. Organizers committed to building a dedicated Games Village for 8,000 athletes and officials, expanding public transportation via metro lines and airport enhancements, and ensuring robust security and logistics to accommodate over 70 participating nations. The pitch emphasized sustainable legacy benefits, such as a "sports city" with training academies, job creation estimated in the thousands, and tourism influx to boost Delhi's economy by showcasing its alongside modern facilities. The November 13, 2003, selection in , , where secured 46 votes against Hamilton's 22, was hailed by Indian officials as validation of these commitments, with assurances of timely delivery under government oversight to avoid the overruns seen in prior mega-events. Bid presentations highlighted first-principles planning for athlete welfare, including efficient transport and medical services, while downplaying potential challenges like timing by pledging contingency measures. These assurances aimed to counter skepticism from Commonwealth Games Federation members accustomed to hosts in established Western nations, framing the event as an opportunity for equitable representation of the Commonwealth's diverse membership.

Planning and Preparation

Organizing Committee Structure and Key Figures

The Organising Committee for the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG 2010) was established on February 10, 2005, as a registered society under the , tasked with planning, managing, and executing the XIX held from October 3 to 14, 2010. It operated in coordination with the (IOA), the , and the Government of the National Capital Territory of , with funding primarily from government allocations and sponsorships. The committee's included an executive board comprising representatives from sports bodies, government officials, and stakeholders to oversee operational directorates for competitions, venues, , , and . Suresh Kalmadi, President of the IOA, served as Chairman of the OC, wielding overriding authority over decisions related to , contracts, and event delivery. Lalit Bhanot acted as Secretary General, managing day-to-day administration and coordination with international bodies like the Commonwealth Games Federation. Other notable figures included directors handling specific portfolios, such as and infrastructure, though several faced suspension amid investigations into financial irregularities during preparations. Kalmadi's leadership drew scrutiny post-event, culminating in his in 2011 on charges involving inflated contracts and mismanagement, for which he was imprisoned for ten months before release on bail; some related cases were later closed by enforcement authorities. The OC was formally dissolved in 2017 by government order, despite unresolved debts exceeding millions.

Budget Allocation and Oversight

The Organizing Committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG), established as a society under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, was primarily responsible for budget execution, with serving as chairman holding overriding decision-making authority on expenditures. Initial cost projections in the 2003 bid submission estimated total expenses at approximately Rs 1,620 (about US$350 million at contemporary exchange rates), covering operational and venue-related outlays, though this figure excluded broader infrastructure investments. By April 2007, the Indian Cabinet approved a revised budget of Rs 3,566 (± Rs 300 ) for core Games activities, funded mainly through central government allocations (around 70%), Delhi government contributions, sponsorships, and ticket sales. Funding disbursements to the OC totaled over Rs 2,000 from the by mid-2010, with additional Delhi state allocations reaching Rs 2,105 in the 2010-11 budget for related projects, including Rs 1,000 specifically for sports infrastructure. Oversight mechanisms included periodic reviews by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, a multi-disciplinary monitoring group formed in 2007, and external audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), which issued a preparatory study report in July 2009 highlighting risks of delays and cost escalations due to fragmented planning. A High Level chaired by former CAG V.K. was constituted in October 2010 to probe procurement and financial irregularities post-event. The CAG's comprehensive 2011 audit report, spanning 700-744 pages and tabled in , documented total Games-related expenditures exceeding $4.1 billion—approximately 16 times the initial bid estimate—attributing overruns to unbridled spending, delays inflating costs by up to 15 times in key areas like venues and operations, and inadequate competitive processes favoring select contractors. Specific lapses included inflated contracts, such as a Rs 141 timing equipment deal overvalued by Rs 95 , and failure to recover Rs 38 lakh in unauthorized travel grants to associations, reflecting systemic deficiencies in financial controls despite government guarantees backing the OC. These findings underscored causal links between delayed oversight interventions and escalated liabilities, with non-sports infrastructure (e.g., roads, airports) adding unquantified billions beyond the OC's direct purview.

Venue Construction and Upgrades

The venues for the 2010 Commonwealth Games required extensive construction and upgrades to accommodate 17 sports across 12 primary competition sites in , including new facilities like the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Complex for aquatics and the Yamuna Sports Complex for wrestling and , alongside renovations to established ones such as the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium for and . Work intensified after India's successful bid in 2003 but encountered systemic delays from the outset, with an original completion target of January 2010 deferred five times amid bureaucratic inefficiencies, contractor disputes, and inadequate planning. The centerpiece, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, received a comprehensive overhaul to host , ceremonies, and , featuring a new cable-supported membrane roof spanning the redesigned bowl for improved sun protection and capacity exceeding 60,000 spectators. Heavy rains in July and August 2010 exacerbated site disruptions, flooding unfinished structures and slowing progress to the point where officials pledged full readiness only by late August, though inspections revealed ongoing deficiencies in September. A critical failure occurred on September 21, 2010, when a temporary near the stadium collapsed during construction, killing 26 workers and injuring others, which exposed substandard materials, rushed workmanship, and lax regulatory enforcement. Cost overruns were pronounced, with the reporting a Rs 1,110 (about $240 million) increase for just five venues due to scope expansions, inflation, and inefficient tendering. These escalations formed part of the overall outlay that ballooned to $4.1 billion, against an initial estimate of $270 million, prompting post-event audits to uncover irregularities and mismanagement by organizing bodies. Despite the turmoil, all venues became functional by the October 3 opening, enabling competition through October 14, though subsequent underutilization highlighted failures in and legacy planning.

Commonwealth Games Village Development

The Commonwealth Games Village was constructed in eastern near the River and Akshardham Temple to accommodate up to 8,500 athletes and officials during the 2010 Games. Developed under a public-private partnership, the (DDA) allotted approximately 60 acres of land to Emaar MGF Land Pvt. Ltd., the Indian subsidiary of Dubai-based , via a signed in April 2007. The project involved building 1,168 apartments across 34 towers in 14 blocks, divided into four zones, with facilities including dining halls, training areas, and medical centers. Construction commenced in 2008 but encountered substantial delays due to factors including heavy rains, inadequate site management, and contractual disputes. The initial completion target shifted multiple times, from early 2010 to March, June, August, and finally beyond the Games' September preparation deadline. Emaar MGF claimed substantial completion by March 29, 2010, excluding landscaping and roads, but handover of the flats to the Organizing Committee was postponed by six months until early October 2010, prompting a Rs 183 penalty forfeiture on the firm's for non-compliance. The estimated cost reached Rs 1,038 (approximately $230 million), funded partly by DDA's sale of post-Games residential units as luxury housing. Audits by India's Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) highlighted irregularities in the broader Games preparations, including the village project, such as non-transparent bidding, cost escalations, and failure to enforce quality standards despite higher payments to contractors. The reported rigged bids, inflated costs, and quality compromises across infrastructure works, contributing to systemic mismanagement that risked athlete safety and event viability. These issues stemmed from inadequate oversight and rushed execution to meet deadlines, as evidenced by unfinished work, structural leaks, and sanitation deficiencies reported in late 2010. Post-Games, the village transitioned into a high-end residential complex, with apartments sold for Rs 2-6 crore each, though buyers faced delays in possession and ongoing maintenance disputes. The development exemplified challenges in India's large-scale infrastructure projects, where political pressures for legacy assets overrode rigorous financial and temporal controls, leading to cost overruns exceeding initial bids and suboptimal outcomes.

Transportation and Logistics Infrastructure

The underwent significant expansion with the completion of Terminal 3, inaugurated on July 3, 2010, at a cost of approximately $1.95 billion, increasing passenger capacity to handle up to 100 million annually by 2020 projections. This upgrade, constructed in 37 months, was explicitly timed to support the influx of visitors for the Games, addressing prior overcrowding issues. Road infrastructure saw extensive enhancements, including the construction of 26 new flyovers and 18 railway overbridges, alongside elevated corridors such as the Barapullah road linking the Games Village to venues. Projects like the three-level grade separator at on NH-24 and the Mukarba Chowk grade separator aimed to alleviate at key entry points. These developments, though marred by construction delays and monsoon-related setbacks, contributed to improved connectivity for Games-related movement. The network expanded under Phase II, providing connectivity to 10 of the 11 competition venues by September 2010, with lines such as the Violet Line to Stadium operational just before the . Special arrangements included increased train frequencies up to every 2.4 minutes on high-demand routes and dedicated services for spectators attending events. Plans for a 98 km high-capacity bus system were proposed but implementation lagged behind metro progress. Logistics for athletes and officials incorporated dedicated Games lanes on major roads, shuttle services, and a special Commonwealth Express train for excursions to sites like the . Despite overall controversies, including delayed and functionality, the network enabled the event's execution without major disruptions to athlete mobility.

Sustainability Initiatives and Green Claims

The Organizing Committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in promoted the event as the first "Green ," signing a with the to underscore commitments to sustainability. This initiative included an "Ecological Code" unveiled by the on February 17, 2010, which outlined measures such as reducing energy and water consumption through green technologies, wastewater management systems, protocols, energy efficiency enhancements, and the planting of saplings across venues. Key components encompassed the adoption of sources, techniques at competition venues, and land remediation efforts to minimize environmental disruption from construction. A low-carbon campaign, supported by the and , targeted behavioral changes among residents, athletes, visitors, and media to promote reduced emissions and sustainable practices during the event period from October 3 to 14, 2010. Additionally, the Delhi government implemented air quality control measures, including emission reduction strategies, to curb pollutants ahead of and during the Games, with subsequent scientific analysis quantifying temporary improvements in atmospheric conditions attributable to these interventions. Despite these proclamations, independent assessments highlighted discrepancies between green claims and outcomes, noting that rapid development contributed to elevated , resource strain, and inadequate long-term environmental legacy planning. Cleanup drives associated with venue preparation displaced informal settlements and disrupted local ecosystems without commensurate restorative actions, while post-event evaluations revealed persistent challenges in and water reclamation efficacy. Heavy rains in 2010 exacerbated risks of waterborne diseases and flooding at sites, undermining assertions of comprehensive ecological safeguards. Overall, while specific tactical measures like emission controls yielded measurable short-term benefits, the broader framework faced criticism for prioritizing event optics over verifiable, enduring environmental gains.

Promotional Events and Queen's Baton Relay

The for the 2010 Commonwealth Games served as the primary promotional event, symbolizing unity across the and building anticipation for the Delhi-hosted event. The Baton, containing a personal message from Queen Elizabeth II to the participating athletes, incorporated advanced including GPS tracking, image and sound capture capabilities, and embedded lighting for visibility during nighttime relays. This relay tradition, akin to the Olympic Torch Relay, aimed to engage communities in host and participating nations through public handovers, processions, and local ceremonies that highlighted cultural exchanges and sporting heritage. Launched on October 29, 2009, at in , the relay began with Queen Elizabeth II entrusting the Baton to Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, who subsequently handed it to India's Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, . The Baton's global journey spanned approximately 170,000 to 190,000 kilometers across 71 nations over 236 to 340 days, making it one of the longest such relays in Games history. It featured ceremonial handovers in key locations, such as on January 9, 2010, and the Cayman Islands in early April 2010, where local dignitaries and athletes participated to foster international goodwill and promote the upcoming Games. Upon entering India on June 25, 2010, at the Wagah Border in Punjab, Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell formally handed the Baton to Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit amid heightened security and cross-border festivities. The domestic leg then traversed all 28 states and 7 union territories, visiting every state capital and select cities, with Olympian Abhinav Bindra initiating the Indian relay under the witness of President Patil. This phase included public events emphasizing national pride and infrastructure readiness, culminating in a final Delhi procession on October 1, 2010, where athletes, politicians, and students carried the Baton past landmarks like Rashtrapati Bhavan before its arrival at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the opening ceremony on October 3. Beyond the relay, ancillary promotional activities included organized quiz competitions on Games history and mascots to engage youth, alongside press conferences and early social media campaigns by the organizing committee to amplify visibility. These efforts, though overshadowed by the relay's scale, contributed to broader strategies focused on integrating cultural showcases with sporting promotion.

Ceremony Planning and Cultural Integration

The planning for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi fell under the purview of the Organizing Committee, with creative direction led by filmmaker for the opening event, who invested approximately 18 months in conceptualization and execution. Production support came from Wizcraft International Entertainment, which handled logistical orchestration for the three-hour opening spectacle held on October 3, 2010, at Stadium. The closing ceremony on October 14, 2010, at the same venue followed a similar organizational framework, emphasizing musical and martial performances to mark the event's conclusion. Cultural integration centered on showcasing India's diverse heritage as the host nation, with the structured into segments highlighting ancient art, traditions, folk dances, and music to reflect regional variations across the country. Elements such as motifs symbolizing "Swagatham" (welcome) and exhibitions like "Power Cloths of the " displayed traditional crafts from participating regions, blending Indian motifs with broader Commonwealth textile influences. This approach aimed to project India's cultural depth amid the multi-nation gathering, though execution occurred against a backdrop of prior infrastructural delays that had raised doubts about overall readiness. The ceremonies incorporated unity through parade of nations and baton handover traditions, but prioritized host-specific narratives, including military pipe and drum bands in the closing to evoke disciplined heritage. Despite systemic preparation challenges reported in Indian media, the events achieved technical success, with international observers noting the effective fusion of and symbolism that underscored India's organizational capacity under pressure.

Execution and Competitions

Opening Ceremony Details

The opening ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games occurred on October 3, 2010, at Stadium in , , beginning at 7:00 PM IST and lasting approximately three hours. Produced by Wizcraft International , the event highlighted India's through segments depicting rhythms, ragas, and historical journeys, involving around 7,000 performers. Key elements included an opening sequence with a rising accompanied by traditional drums, pipes, and shells, followed by projections of blessings from major Indian faiths and a "" motif leading into representations of and the "Great Indian Journey" featuring a symbolic train with performers. The parade of nations featured athletes from 71 teams entering the stadium, with marching in burgundy and gold uniforms. The Queen's Baton, which had traversed 54 nations and all Indian states, arrived at the ceremony, symbolizing the culmination of the relay. Prince Charles, representing Queen Elizabeth II, formally declared the Games open by reading her message, in the presence of Indian President Pratibha Patil, who then announced the commencement of competitions. The program concluded with Bollywood-style dances and the Games anthem "Jiyo, Utho, Bado, Jeeto!" composed by , alongside fireworks displays. Attended by about 60,000 spectators in the , the ceremony was broadcast globally and marked a shift from prior organizational criticisms to a display of national pride and logistical success in execution.

Participating Associations and Athlete Participation

The 2010 Commonwealth Games featured participation from 71 associations, comprising sovereign states, dependencies, and territories affiliated with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). This represented all eligible members except , which was barred due to its suspension from the following the 2006 military coup. The CGF, with 72 total members at the time, oversees these associations, which field national teams independently of their parent countries in cases like , , , and . In total, 4,352 athletes competed across 21 sports and 272 events, marking the Games as the largest to date in event count though athlete numbers were comparable to prior editions. Host nation contributed a contingent of 199 athletes, focusing on disciplines like athletics, wrestling, and shooting where it traditionally excels. Larger delegations came from established competitors: fielded around 400 athletes, approximately 350, and over 300, enabling broad representation in medal-contending sports such as , athletics, and . Smaller associations, like those from Pacific islands or African nations, often sent teams under 50 athletes, prioritizing track-and-field events due to resource constraints.
Nation/AssociationApproximate Athlete Numbers
400
350
300+
India (host)199
192
These figures reflect accredited competitors only, excluding officials and support staff, who swelled total delegation sizes to over 6,000 personnel across the Games Village and venues. Participation emphasized balance where possible, though many associations from developing regions fielded predominantly male teams in combat and sports. The diversity underscored the CGF's inclusive model, though logistical challenges in affected smaller teams' preparations more acutely.

Sports Disciplines and Event Calendar

The 2010 Commonwealth Games featured 17 sports disciplines, encompassing 272 medal events for able-bodied athletes and additional para-sport competitions integrated into several disciplines. These disciplines were (including , diving, and ), , athletics, , , (road and track), (artistic and rhythmic), , lawn bowls, , , shooting, squash, , , weightlifting, and wrestling. competed for medals for the first time in Games history, while appeared as a without medals. The program emphasized core Olympic-style events with some Commonwealth-specific inclusions like and , distributed across 12 competition venues in . Competitions spanned 11 days from 4 to 14 October 2010, immediately following the opening ceremony on 3 October and aligning with the closing ceremony on 14 October. Multiple sports ran concurrently to maximize venue utilization and spectator engagement, with preliminary rounds often starting early in the week and finals concentrated toward the end. Athletics provided the largest program with 46 events, while offered 38. Para-athletes participated in integrated events within athletics, lawn , shooting, , table tennis, and , marking an expansion from prior Games. The following table summarizes competition periods for each discipline, based on official programming:
DisciplineCompetition Dates
4–9 October 2010
7–10 October 2010
6–12 October 2010 (track/field); 9 October (walks); 14 October (marathon)
4–14 October 2010
5–13 October 2010
7–14 October 2010
Gymnastics (Artistic)5–10 October 2010
Gymnastics (Rhythmic)12–14 October 2010
4–14 October 2010
Lawn Bowls4–13 October 2010
4–14 October 2010
8–10 October 2010
Shooting4–14 October 2010
Squash4–13 October 2010
4–13 October 2010
4–10 October 2010
4–12 October 2010
Wrestling5–12 October 2010
Daily sessions typically included morning preliminaries and evening finals, with adjustments for weather and athlete recovery; for instance, endurance events like the athletics marathon concluded the program on the final day to symbolize completion. This structure ensured broad participation from 6,081 athletes across 71 nations, with events calibrated to host time zones for optimal broadcasting.

Medal Distribution and National Performances

Australia topped the medal table at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, securing 74 gold medals, 55 silver, and 48 bronze for a total of 177 medals, marking its sixth consecutive leadership in the competition. The nation's dominance was driven by strong showings in , where it won multiple golds including those by Alicia Coutts, who emerged as the Games' most successful individual athlete with five medals, and in and . Host nation recorded its highest-ever medal haul, finishing second with 38 gold, 27 silver, and 36 bronze medals, totaling 101 and achieving second place for the first time in Games history. Indian athletes excelled particularly in , claiming 14 golds among 30 total medals in the discipline, and wrestling, where they secured 10 golds. England placed third with 37 gold, 59 silver, and 44 bronze medals, totaling 140, highlighted by a record 34 medals in and successes in and athletics. Canada ranked fourth, earning 26 gold, 17 silver, and 33 bronze for 76 medals total, with notable achievements in diving, where contributed to the nation's 400th career gold, and athletics. The overall medal distribution reflected the competitive hierarchy among larger Commonwealth nations, with smaller participants like , the , and securing their first-ever gold medals.
RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1745548177
2382736101
3375944140
426173376
511101132
612101739
713101740
855616
977923
1097824
The table above summarizes the top ten nations based on gold medals, with ties broken by silver and then bronze; full participation included 71 nations and dependencies across 272 events in 17 sports.

Closing Ceremony and Immediate Aftermath

The closing ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games occurred on October 14, 2010, at Stadium in , starting at 7:00 PM IST and lasting approximately two and a half hours. It showcased elements of Indian culture through contrasting segments, including displays from multiple states, laser-illuminated dance performances, traditional music, and military pipe and drum bands. A key formal element was the ceremonial handover of the Commonwealth Games flag to officials from , , designating it as host for the 2014 edition. The event concluded the 12-day competition, which had proceeded without significant disruptions despite prior organizational challenges. Organizing Committee chairman was booed by portions of the audience during the ceremony, underscoring persistent public frustration over pre-Games scandals involving delays, hygiene issues, and alleged . Reactions to the ceremony were mixed; while some praised its cultural vibrancy, others, including users, criticized it as less engaging than the . In the immediate aftermath, focus shifted to the final medal standings, with leading at 74 golds and 177 total medals, host securing second place with a record 38 golds and 101 medals overall—its strongest performance to date—and third with 37 golds. The Games' athletic execution was widely viewed as successful, boosting national pride in , though underlying issues of cost overruns exceeding 100% of the initial budget prompted calls for accountability and audits in the ensuing weeks.

Marketing and Media

Branding Elements: Motto, Logo, Mascot, and Anthem

The official of the 2010 Commonwealth Games was "Come out and play," intended to encourage participation and reflect the event's spirit of engagement across Commonwealth nations. The logo featured a design inspired by the from India's national flag, symbolizing freedom, unity, and power through its 24 spokes representing core values. It was created by Idiom Design and Consulting to evoke national integrity and vigor while aligning with the Games' identity. Shera, the official mascot, depicted an anthropomorphic embodying qualities such as majesty, power, charisma, intelligence, and grace, drawing from India's wildlife heritage to promote the event's visibility. The character appeared extensively in promotional materials, including billboards and Games literature, to engage audiences and represent national pride. The official anthem, "Jiyo Utho Badho Jeeto" (Live, Rise, Progress, Win), was composed and performed by , with lyrics by Mehboob, serving as a motivational call to action tied to the Games' . Released on August 28, 2010, it featured orchestral elements and was performed at key events to inspire athletes and spectators.

Sponsorship Deals and Commercial Aspects

The Organising Committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in secured sponsorship agreements primarily from domestic corporations and public sector undertakings, reflecting limited international interest amid mounting preparations delays. Key partners included Hero as a co-sponsor, as the official beverage provider, , and the . Sahara Group also contributed sponsorship support, leveraging its existing ties to Indian sports like and hockey. These deals emphasized in-kind contributions, such as beverages and transportation logistics, over pure cash infusions, as sponsors negotiated terms favorable to the committee's financial strains. Initial sponsorship revenue projections reached Rs 450–960 crore, with ambitions scaling to Rs 1,200 crore by mid-2010 to offset government loans totaling Rs 1,620 crore. However, persistent infrastructure shortfalls and corruption allegations deterred broader corporate engagement, yielding only Rs 342–400 crore in contracted sponsorships by event onset. One international marketing agency, Sports and Marketing Assets Management (SMAM), suspended contributions in August 2010 amid escalating scandals involving organizing committee chief Suresh Kalmadi, potentially forfeiting up to 23% of sponsorship inflows. Commercial revenue streams beyond sponsorships underperformed against forecasts, with ticketing sales hampered by public disillusionment and empty venues during early competitions. Projections for ticket income started at Rs 100 but were revised downward to Rs 80 following stadium capacity adjustments. Licensing and merchandise efforts, aimed at generating Rs 60 , yielded minimal returns due to subdued consumer enthusiasm and late rollout. Overall, the amassed roughly Rs 600 in combined revenues—spanning sponsorships, tickets, and licensing—against expenditures exceeding Rs 1,820 , achieving just 19–20% of anticipated non-governmental . This shortfall underscored the event's reliance on taxpayer subsidies, as aversion amplified fiscal imbalances.

Broadcasting Agreements and Global Reach

The host broadcasting operations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games were contracted to SIS Live, a British company, in October 2009 under a multi-million-pound agreement with the Organizing Committee to deliver production facilities, personnel, and coverage for 17 sports across 12 venues in Delhi. India's public broadcaster Prasar Bharati, operating through Doordarshan, served as the domestic host broadcaster and entered a separate Rs 246 crore contract with SIS Live to access the international feed for nationwide telecast, with worldwide rights initially granted by the Organizing Committee rather than involving direct payments from Prasar Bharati for global sub-licensing. International broadcasting rights were sub-licensed to national public and commercial networks across nations, enabling broad dissemination. In the , the secured exclusive live coverage rights in April 2010, airing events across its television, radio, and online platforms. Australia's rights were jointly held by pay-TV provider and Network Ten, following a 2008 agreement that delivered comprehensive programming including dedicated channels for athletics and other disciplines. These agreements facilitated global reach primarily within the 71 participating associations, with broadcasts tailored to regional audiences via entities like Canada's CBC for English-language coverage. In , cumulative viewership on channels DD1 and exceeded 92.5 million by the Games' conclusion on October 14, 2010, reflecting strong domestic engagement despite logistical challenges in production. Australian broadcasts similarly achieved high penetration, with subscription TV shares reaching 60.7% during peak sessions on .

Controversies and Failures

The 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi were marred by widespread allegations of corruption involving the Organizing Committee, leading to investigations by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED). Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the Organizing Committee, faced primary scrutiny for decisions that allegedly caused financial losses, including the award of a contract for timing, scoring, and results equipment to a Swiss firm, TIMA, without competitive bidding, resulting in an estimated loss of 95 crore rupees (approximately $20 million at the time). Kalmadi was arrested by the CBI on April 25, 2011, on charges of corruption, conspiracy, and causing wrongful loss to the government. The CBI filed its first chargesheet on May 20, 2011, against Kalmadi and eight others, accusing them of criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy in the equipment procurement. In February 2013, a Delhi court formally charged Kalmadi and nine co-accused with cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy related to the same contract; Kalmadi pleaded not guilty. Investigations uncovered over 300 complaints of irregularities across Games-related projects, including inflated costs for infrastructure and services, though the CBI prioritized high-value cases. A and Auditor General (CAG) report later highlighted systemic lapses in financial oversight, such as uncompetitive tendering and cost escalations, contributing to the narrative of graft but stopping short of direct culpability attributions without judicial validation. Legal outcomes were limited despite the scale of allegations, estimated by some probes at up to 70,000 rupees in irregularities. The first convictions occurred in 2015, when a court sentenced five individuals, including four officials and a private firm executive, to prison terms ranging from three to six years for rigging a street lighting upgrade contract worth 45 rupees, involving and undue favors. A subsequent in May 2017 addressed similar frauds. However, major cases against Kalmadi saw closures: in April 2025, a court accepted the ED's closure report in a probe against him and others, citing insufficient evidence of proceeds of crime, amid 19 filed since 2010 that largely yielded no further accountability. This pattern raised questions about prosecutorial efficacy and potential political influences in sustaining probes, as key figures evaded lasting penalties despite initial uproar.

Infrastructure Delays and Quality Shortfalls

The athletes' village, intended to house over 8,000 participants, experienced significant delays, with work commencing only in despite the Games' scheduled start on , 2010. This lag resulted in unfinished apartments, ongoing clean-up operations, and reports of substandard conditions upon early team arrivals in late 2010. Inspectors from the English Institute of Sport deemed the facility "unfit for athletes," citing leaking toilets that failed to flush, building debris scattered in bathrooms, and overall uncleanliness. Similar complaints emerged from other delegations, including unclean toilets and incomplete infrastructure along the River site. Venue preparations, including stadiums like , suffered from late starts in construction and missed deadlines across multiple sites. (CVC) investigation in July 2010 documented poor site management, persistent delays, and quality compromises in all inspected projects, attributing these to rigged bids and inflated costs that prioritized haste over standards. On September 21, 2010, a partly constructed adjacent to the main collapsed, injuring 27 workers and exposing lax construction practices amid rushed timelines. Supporting infrastructure faced parallel shortfalls, with over 20 newly laid roads in caving in due to substandard materials and execution under time pressure. These issues contributed to broader organizational strain, as 's urban upgrades—promised as "world-class" by —remained incomplete, prompting public frustration and government interventions just weeks before the event. A post-event by India's and Auditor General highlighted how delays necessitated exorbitant contractor rates, exacerbating financial losses while underscoring systemic quality deficiencies in execution. Such lapses reflected deeper challenges in India's delivery, including overstretched developers and heavy sub-contracting, which compromised durability and .

Health, Hygiene, and Safety Lapses

The athletes' village in , intended to house over 8,000 competitors, faced severe criticism for unhygienic conditions in the weeks leading up to the October 3 . Visiting delegates reported filthy accommodations, including rubble-strewn corridors, leaking and stained toilets, non-functional bathroom fittings, and beds marked with muddy animal paw prints, rendering blocks initially unfit for habitation. Organizers acknowledged these shortcomings and committed to remediation within 48 hours, deploying additional cleaning crews, though complaints persisted into early athlete arrivals. Pest infestations exacerbated health risks, with multiple snakes discovered in village facilities. On September 26, 2010, a snake was found in a allocated to South African athletes, prompting safety concerns from the delegation. Earlier that week, a 3.5-foot was rescued from a drain at the adjacent stadium, and wildlife rescuers extracted six from the village site overall, alongside one from courts. Rodent control measures included 600 traps deployed across venues, amid broader reports of presence, though no confirmed fatalities from bites occurred. External site conditions heightened disease transmission fears, with stagnant water pools at construction areas breeding mosquitoes and contributing to a pre-Games dengue outbreak that hospitalized dozens in . Authorities responded by doubling efforts, but stray dogs, , and homeless encampments near Stadium underscored ongoing deficits outside secured zones. These lapses, linked to delays and inadequate oversight, drew international scrutiny for potentially endangering , though no widespread illnesses were directly attributed during the event.

Security Threats and Organizational Chaos

Security concerns intensified in the lead-up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games due to a series of terrorist incidents and explicit threats targeting the event. On September 19, 2010, gunmen attacked a bus outside Delhi's , killing two foreign tourists and injuring several others in an assault claimed by the , a militant group linked to prior bombings. This followed the February 2010 German Bakery bombing, which killed 17 people including foreigners, prompting heightened alerts as the Games approached. Indian authorities raised security to maximum levels, deploying over 100,000 personnel, yet a terrorist organization issued warnings of attacks specifically around the Games dates. Foreign governments, including the and , issued travel advisories urging caution at mass gatherings and tourist sites, with private briefings to athletes and officials highlighting risks to transport hubs and hotels. Earlier, in August 2009, England's team withdrew from a preparatory event in Hyderabad citing terror threats, underscoring persistent vulnerabilities. No large-scale attacks materialized during the October 3–14 event, but the pervasive threat environment, rooted in India's ongoing insurgencies and prior assaults like the , strained resources and fueled international apprehensions. Organizational disarray compounded these risks through logistical breakdowns and human resource failures. In the final days before opening, reports indicated that up to 10,000 of the planned 22,000 volunteers had abandoned their roles, citing inadequate , poor facilities, and unpaid stipends, leaving critical gaps in event staffing. Transport disruptions peaked on , 2010, when approximately 800 bus drivers refused duties, protesting 18-hour shifts, chaotic traffic , and lack of basic amenities like toilets, which delayed athlete shuttles and threatened competition schedules. These issues stemmed from broader mismanagement, including delayed venue preparations and unreliable systems, such as a malfunctioning Games and inconsistent public integration. A post-event by India's and Auditor General described the preparations as a "complete failure," attributing chaos to fragmented oversight between the Organizing Committee and government bodies, which prioritized opaque contracting over operational readiness. Such failures not only amplified security vulnerabilities—by hindering coordinated evacuations or —but also eroded participant confidence, with delegations reporting disorientation amid incomplete signage and untested emergency protocols.

Athlete Dissatisfaction and Withdrawals

Leading up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in , numerous athletes expressed dissatisfaction with the substandard conditions in the athletes' village, including reports of unclean rooms, leaking roofs, filthy toilets, and even dead animals or excrement in accommodations, which organizers deemed initially unfit for habitation. These issues, compounded by broader concerns over delays, a collapsed injuring 27 people on September 21, and heightened security risks including terrorist threats and , prompted several national teams to delay arrivals or threaten full withdrawals. For instance, , , and postponed team departures pending improvements, with Canadian officials citing exhaustion from repeated unsatisfactory responses from organizers. Withdrawals were significant, particularly in and , where safety and health risks outweighed competitive incentives. The entire Welsh cycling team, including Olympic champion , withdrew on September 23, 2010, following evaluations of venue readiness and village conditions. Canadian archers, led by top competitor Jay Brenneman, also pulled out due to threats and inadequate preparations. Overall, at least nine athletes from and opted out by September 24, primarily over health and safety apprehensions. African nations, spearheaded by , voiced strong discontent on September 27, alleging discriminatory treatment in accommodations compared to wealthier teams, though no mass exodus followed. During the event from October 3 to 14, dissatisfaction persisted with incidents like illnesses affecting swimmers from and , potentially linked to contaminated pool water, leading to higher rates of gastrointestinal issues among aquatic athletes. Despite last-minute cleanups that allowed the Games to proceed, these pre-event withdrawals reduced participation in key events and underscored organizational shortcomings, with organizers facing pressure from Commonwealth Games Federation inspections to rectify issues.

Achievements and Athletic Outcomes

India's Medal Haul and Competitive Successes

secured 38 gold medals, 27 silver medals, and 36 bronze medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, totaling 101 medals and placing second overall behind with 177 medals. This represented India's highest medal count in Games history up to that point, surpassing previous totals and marking the first instance of finishing ahead of England. The performance demonstrated strengths in combat and precision sports, with wrestling contributing the most golds. Wrestling yielded eight gold medals for India, including victories by in women's 55 kg freestyle, the country's first in that discipline at the Games. Shooters claimed 14 golds, highlighted by and Gagan Narang's win in the men's 10m air rifle pairs on October 5. added six golds, while saw defend his middleweight title. Athletics broke a 52-year drought with Krishna Poonia's gold in women's . Breakthroughs occurred in , where Ashish Kumar earned a silver in floor exercise and a in vault, India's inaugural medals in the . delivered three golds, led by Dola Banerjee's individual recurve win. These results reflected targeted training investments yielding returns in medal-dense categories, though team sports like yielded only a mixed silver. Overall, the haul underscored India's rising competitive edge in Commonwealth-level events, particularly in individual disciplines favoring technical proficiency over collective play.
SportGoldSilverBronzeTotal
Wrestling81211
147930
6208
3104
Athletics1113
0112
3003
Note: Table aggregates key sports; full distribution spans 17 disciplines with medals.

Operational Recovery During the Event

Despite severe pre-event disruptions, including substandard athletes' village conditions and venue safety concerns reported as late as September 21, 2010, organizers mobilized thousands of workers for round-the-clock repairs and deep cleaning, rendering facilities operational by the October 3 . The village, previously criticized for uncleanliness and electrical faults, was certified habitable following these interventions, with Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Mike Fennell noting post-opening improvements in safety guarantees and infrastructure readiness. During the 11-day competition from October 3 to 14, , events proceeded with minimal logistical interruptions across 17 venues, accommodating 4,352 athletes from 71 nations in 272 events. Dedicated transport corridors and over 100,000 security personnel ensured athlete mobility and site protection, averting major threats despite early traffic bottlenecks addressed via prime ministerial oversight. Incidental issues, such as drain blockages in the village on October 7, were promptly resolved without derailing schedules. Fennell declared the Games a success on , 2010, crediting on-site adaptations for transforming initial chaos into effective delivery, a view echoed in participation rates exceeding expectations and the absence of widespread withdrawals mid-event. This recovery underscored ad-hoc over prior planning deficiencies, enabling the event's completion despite persistent critiques of underlying execution.

Cultural and Ceremonial Highlights

The for the 2010 Commonwealth Games commenced on October 29, 2009, at in , where Queen Elizabeth II inscribed a message inside the baton, which then traveled through all 54 nations before arriving in on June 25, 2010, at the Border, handed over to Chief Minister by Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennell. The relay covered extensive routes within , including visits to multiple states, culminating in its arrival at Stadium during the on October 3, 2010, symbolizing unity among members. The opening ceremony, held on October 3, 2010, at Stadium in from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM IST, featured a three-hour spectacle produced by Wizcraft International Entertainment, showcasing India's historical and cultural diversity through segments depicting ancient civilizations, practices, and regional traditions via music, , and light displays. Performances highlighted elements like the "tree of knowledge" and traditional arts, with Oscar-winning composer concluding the event by performing the Games anthem "Jeeyo, Utho, Badho" and "Jai Ho," drawing international acclaim for revitalizing the Games' image amid prior organizational criticisms. The ceremony was declared open by Indian President alongside Commonwealth Games Federation representatives, with participation from athletes of 71 nations. The closing ceremony on October 14, , at the same venue from 7:00 PM to 9:20 PM IST, emphasized from various states, followed by massed pipe and drum bands from the Indian military, laser shows, and cultural vignettes contrasting the opening's vibrancy with a more disciplined tone. It included the handover of the Games flag to representatives for the 2014 edition, marking the official conclusion and underscoring India's hosting success in athletic competitions despite pre-event logistical shortfalls. Overall, the ceremonies effectively projected India's to a global audience, contributing to a positive perceptual shift regarding the event's execution.

Economic and Fiscal Realities

Actual Costs Versus Initial Budgets

The initial bid document submitted by for hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games estimated the total cost at approximately Rs 1,899 ($422 million). This figure encompassed core organizational and venue-related expenses but excluded broader infrastructure developments. By April 2007, the Cabinet-approved budget had risen to Rs 3,566 , reflecting early adjustments for escalating requirements. Actual expenditures, however, ballooned dramatically, with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of documenting a 15-fold increase over the initial low estimates for key components like stadium renovations (originally Rs 1,050 ) and urban beautification (Rs 150 ). The CAG attributed this to unchecked spending across venues, transport, and ancillary projects, with total outlays—including government-funded infrastructure—reaching estimates of Rs 60,000 or more by late 2010. Independent audits, such as one by Housing and Land Rights Network, highlighted overruns exceeding 1,500% from the bid phase, driven by in non-essential works like city flyovers and games villages.
Budget MilestoneEstimated Cost (Rs )Notes
Bid Document (2003)1,899Core hosting costs; $422 million equivalent.
Cabinet Approval (2007)3,566First major revision incorporating venue upgrades.
Pre-Games Estimates (2010)~11,494 (organizing only)Excludes full ; later swelled further.
Total Actual (incl. infra)60,000+CAG-noted 15x overrun; highest for any CWG.
These discrepancies stemmed from inadequate initial planning and post-bid expansions into unrelated urban projects, as critiqued in CAG findings for lacking cost-benefit justification. Venue alone saw costs exceed original allocations by over Rs 1,110 crore in some cases, per government department records. The CAG, as an independent constitutional body, provides the most authoritative , underscoring systemic lapses in fiscal oversight rather than mere inflationary pressures.

Revenue Generation and Financial Losses

The primary revenue streams for the 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee included ticket sales, sponsorships, , licensing, and , intended to offset operational costs and achieve a revenue-neutral model. Ticket sales generated Rs. 39.17 , hampered by low attendance amid widespread controversies over delays and issues, which deterred spectators. Sponsorship contracts were valued higher initially, but actual collections fell short due to execution lapses and negative publicity. were supported by a allocation of Rs. 415 to for coverage, though net returns to the committee remained limited. Total revenues realized approximately 19-20% of projected figures, with the organising committee acknowledging an 80% shortfall across key sources. Pre-event estimates anticipated around US$500 million (roughly Rs. 2,250 at contemporary exchange rates) from broadcasting, sponsorships, and ticketing combined, but delivery failures and by partners eroded these targets. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) highlighted specific revenue leakages, such as a projected Rs. 24.6 loss from suboptimal sponsorship negotiations and contract awards lacking competitive bidding. Financial losses were exacerbated by this revenue deficit against ballooning expenditures, with the government's total outlay for the Games reaching approximately Rs. 11,494 for core organization alone, excluding broader investments estimated at up to Rs. 60,000 when including venues and transport upgrades. Direct revenue recovery amounted to roughly Rs. 174 , yielding negligible offset and imposing the full burden on public funds without recoupment as planned. CAG audits documented systemic irregularities, including inflated contracts and undue urgency premiums, contributing to unrecoverable losses and underscoring the event's failure to generate self-sustaining income.

Opportunity Costs in a Developing Economy

The expenditure on the 2010 Commonwealth Games in , which ultimately surpassed Rs 70,000 including and operational costs, represented a massive diversion of resources in an economy where hovered around $1,400 and over 300 million people lived below the line. This figure dwarfed the initial bid estimate of approximately Rs 1,600 , with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) attributing the escalation—up to 15 times the budgeted amount—to delays, poor planning, and unchecked spending across venues, transport, and games management. In a context of limited fiscal capacity, such outlays crowded out investments in foundational sectors, where public spending on remained stagnant at about 1% of GDP and allocations, though rising to around 3-4% of GDP, still fell short of universal coverage needs. Analyses of the event's economic footprint highlight the high opportunity costs inherent to mega-events in developing nations, where funds allocated to temporary sports —such as upgrades and athlete villages—could instead address endemic challenges like affecting 40% of children under five and inadequate for over 600 million people in 2010. The Rs 60,000-70,000 investment, equivalent to roughly double the entire Union budget for that period, might have financed widespread expansions in primary healthcare facilities or rural education , sectors where out-of-pocket expenses alone were driving 50-60 million Indians into annually through medical costs. Moreover, preparatory measures exacerbated social trade-offs, including the of an estimated 140,000 low-income families from slums to accommodate games-related and venues, displacing vulnerable populations without commensurate relocation support or long-term gains. From a causal standpoint, prioritizing prestige-driven spectacles over human capital development perpetuated inefficiencies in resource allocation, as evidenced by the games' failure to yield projected GDP multipliers amid global slowdowns and domestic fiscal strains. Independent audits underscored a negative financial legacy, with underutilized assets post-event straining maintenance budgets that could have bolstered poverty alleviation programs like expanded public distribution systems or skill training for the underemployed youth cohort comprising nearly 30% of the workforce. In essence, the event amplified short-term visibility at the expense of sustainable growth, underscoring the misalignment between mega-event hosting and the imperatives of a resource-constrained economy grappling with structural underinvestment in basics.

Long-term Legacy

Infrastructure Post-games Utilization and Waste

The sports venues constructed or renovated for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in , costing approximately Rs 2,460 for five major stadia, rapidly deteriorated due to chronic under-maintenance and limited programming, rendering them underutilized shortly after the event. Authority of India (SAI), tasked with operations, provided only Rs 50 annually for upkeep across these facilities, insufficient to offset high operational costs or generate revenue through events, leading to widespread neglect by 2014. At Stadium, upgraded at Rs 961 crore, issues included broken ceilings, missing or damaged seats, and dust accumulation by 2014; its Rs 35 crore helium balloon structure, deployed for opening and closing ceremonies on October 3 and 14, 2010, lay unused and stored in a rusted cargo container thereafter, with failed attempts to repurpose or sell it. The Indira Gandhi accumulated garbage and hosted no competitions post-2010 owing to prohibitive expenses, while the operated with just four coaches for over 400 summer trainees, constraining capacity. Siri Fort shifted toward corporate functions, further diverting from athletic use. These conditions exemplified "" infrastructure, where absence of viable post-Games legacy strategies resulted in substantial waste of public funds amid construction scandals that compromised quality from inception. The Commonwealth Games Village, originally spanning 63.5 acres for athlete accommodation, transitioned to residential housing for sports personnel, though persistent legal disputes over allotments delayed full occupancy and effective utilization.

Impact on Indian Sports Development

The 2010 Commonwealth Games in catalyzed a surge in short-term investments in sports infrastructure and athlete preparation, enabling India to secure its highest-ever medal tally of 101, including 38 golds, finishing second overall behind . This performance, driven by enhanced training facilities and , marked a peak in competitive output, with notable successes in wrestling, , and . However, sustaining this momentum proved challenging, as subsequent Games saw diminished total medals—64 in 2014 , 66 in 2018 Gold Coast, and 61 in 2022 Birmingham—indicating that the event's boost was not translated into enduring systemic gains. Post-event, the newly constructed venues, including upgrades to Stadium and specialized arenas for aquatics and shooting, initially improved training quality in , with assessments noting enhanced equipment and standards. Yet, by 2014, many facilities under the Sports Authority of had deteriorated due to inadequate budgets and low utilization rates, with reports of leaking roofs, overgrown fields, and unused pools exemplifying wasted potential. This decay stemmed from insufficient post-Games planning, where operational costs exceeded revenues, limiting access for athletes and failing to foster widespread participation. Funding for elite athletes received a temporary uplift through targeted programs ahead of the , contributing to medal successes, but long-term policy shifts remained elusive, with critics arguing that the Rs. 70,000 crore outlay prioritized spectacle over decentralized development like rural academies or coach training. While government involvement in sports increased marginally post-2010, enabling modest gains in international meets, the event did not address core barriers such as bureaucratic inefficiencies or , resulting in persistent underinvestment in non-Olympic disciplines. Overall, the Games highlighted gaps but failed to ignite a transformative sports culture, as evidenced by India's ongoing reliance on individual talents rather than institutionalized pathways.

Effects on National and International Reputation

The pre-event preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games severely damaged 's international reputation, with widespread media coverage of infrastructure failures, including collapsing footbridges at the Stadium on September 20, 2010, and reports of filthy athletes' villages infested with mosquitoes and stray dogs, prompting threats of boycotts from delegations such as and . Foreign outlets portrayed as disorganized and incapable of hosting major events, undermining its aspirations as a rising global power and contrasting sharply with the polished execution of the 2008 Olympics. This negative publicity persisted despite last-minute interventions by the Indian government, which deployed additional troops and cleaning crews, as international perceptions had already solidified around themes of incompetence and . Nationally, the scandals eroded public confidence and fueled domestic outrage, with Indian media and opposition leaders decrying the event as a "national shame" due to cost overruns exceeding 16 times the initial budget of ₹1,625 crore (approximately US$350 million) and allegations of graft involving Organizing Committee chairman . A court in December 2010 explicitly noted that the probe into the games had "tarnished India's image," reflecting widespread sentiment that the mismanagement reflected systemic failures rather than isolated errors. Surveys and commentary at the time indicated that while some pride emerged from India's record 101 medals, the predominant view among citizens was one of embarrassment over the pre-games chaos, which overshadowed athletic achievements and reinforced stereotypes of bureaucratic inefficiency. Internationally, the eventual smooth conduct of the games from to 14, 2010, provided partial mitigation, with some athletes praising the venues post-opening and attendance reaching over 1 million spectators, but the reputational harm endured due to the entrenched narrative of pre-event disarray and subsequent legal convictions for totaling over ₹70,000 in alleged irregularities. Academic analyses later described the outcomes as "mixed" in projecting , as the event failed to erase doubts about India's event-hosting reliability, influencing hesitancy in awarding future mega-events to the country. Overall, the games highlighted causal links between poor oversight and perceptual damage, with no verifiable evidence of a net positive shift in global esteem, as evidenced by persistent references in international discourse to the episode as a of overambition in developing economies.

Policy Lessons on Government-led Mega-events

The 2010 Commonwealth Games in demonstrated profound risks in government orchestration of mega-events, where political imperatives often eclipse rigorous economic scrutiny, resulting in fiscal profligacy and entrenched . Initial cost projections stood at approximately ₹1,625 (about $350 million USD at contemporaneous exchange rates), but actual expenditures surged to over ₹39,000 for sports venues alone, with ancillary infrastructure and operations elevating total outlays to roughly ₹60,000 (around $13 billion USD). This overrun, exceeding initial estimates by more than 3,500%, stemmed from inadequate contingency planning and unchecked escalations in contracts, revealing governments' systemic underestimation of complexities in time-bound, high-stakes projects. Widespread graft further compounded inefficiencies, as probes by India's and and Auditor General uncovered over-invoicing—such as toilet paper priced at ₹4,000 per roll—and rigged tenders that siphoned an estimated ₹70,000 crore through and kickbacks. Convictions, including a 10-year sentence for organizing committee chief in 2014 for a $1.2 million scam, underscored how centralized state control over opaque fosters , absent competitive private bidding or real-time oversight. In developing contexts like , where institutional accountability lags, such events amplify , as officials prioritize prestige over probity, eroding public trust and diverting resources from verifiable needs like or . Post-event economic assessments invalidated promotional claims of transformative growth, yielding direct revenues of just ₹174 against the colossal investment, with multiplier effects insufficient to offset opportunity costs in a resource-constrained . Independent studies affirm that mega-events rarely deliver sustained GDP uplift or job creation beyond temporary spikes, often exacerbating inequality through forced evictions of over 200,000 dwellers for without commensurate relocation benefits. This misalignment—prioritizing ephemeral spectacle over endogenous development—highlights the fallacy of assuming visitor influxes catalyze broad prosperity, particularly when baseline infrastructure deficits persist. Underutilized legacies, such as the ₹900 Games Village that deteriorated into a maintenance quagmire by due to absent utilization frameworks, epitomize event-centric planning's shortsightedness, burdening taxpayers with idle assets amid fiscal strain. Policy imperatives thus mandate pre-bid independent audits enforcing parametric cost caps and benefit thresholds grounded in historical data from analogous events, diminishing optimism biases inherent in state-led bids. Governments should devolve execution to hybrid public-private models with enforceable performance clauses, while mandating integrated legacy blueprints—encompassing revenue streams for upkeep—to avert white-elephant pitfalls. In sum, the experience counsels restraint: mega-events warrant hosting only if demonstrably accretive to core welfare metrics, not as vanity pursuits, lest they perpetuate cycles of waste in bureaucratically dominated arenas.

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