Now Canada complains about Games ceremonies

TORONTO - Having complained about every aspect of the Commonwealth Games and taking their reservations about India’s ability to hold the show to ridiculous levels, Canada reportedly even expressed reluctance to join the opening ceremonies Sunday.

According to media reports here, the Canadian contingent agreed to march in Sunday’s opening ceremonies only after organizers satisfied some concerns expressed by Canadian officials.

Andrew Pipe, the ever-complaining president of Commonwealth Games Canada, has been quoted as saying that there were worries about athletes being forced to stand in the sun without adequate shade, water or bathroom facilities while waiting for the ceremonies to begin, says the Globe and Mail.

Pipe said there also were concerns that athletes would not be able to leave the ceremonies early.

But Games organizers promised to satisfy the Canadian concerns, according to him.

But even after their concerns were addressed, only about 150 members of the 400-strong Canadian contingent will march in the opening ceremonies, the report says.

Canadian sports officials and media have been ruthlessly critical of India’s preparations for the Games, citing poor sanitary conditions, construction delays and threats of terrorism. In fact, two Canadian archers pulled out of Games for health reasons.

This forced Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, who was here last week, to lash out at Canada and other countries for “running India down.”

(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at gurmukh.s@ians.in)