After swimmer’s ‘monkey’ remark, unruly crowds to be checked

NEW DELHI - The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Saturday issued an advisory to presenters and volunteers at venues to check unruly crowds in the stands after a South African swimmer accused Indian spectators of behaving like “monkeys”.

Taking note of unruly spectators’ behaviour, the Organising Committee issued an advisory which said: “Presenters at sports are requested to ensure that crowd behaviour is appropriate at their venues and in particular silence is maintained at critical points, example when athletes are in the hands of the starter.”

“Volunteers at the spectators gallery are also advised to monitor the spectators’ behaviour accordingly,” the advisory said.

South African swimmer Roland Schoeman told reporter Mark Howard of Network TEN from Australia: “You know its an absolute disgrace. Theres a guy in the stands just shouting, shouting, shouting. Someone like that needs to be ejected from this place”.

“Its unacceptable to be at a professional event like this and have the stand and have people going on like monkeys. Thats not acceptable. Someone like that does not deserve to be here, Schoeman said.

The South African swimmer spoke out after narrowly avoiding being disqualified when he and England’s Simon Burnett had a false start when they heard a noise in the stand at the second semi-finals for the men’s 50m freestyle. Officials, however, did not disqualify them.

At the R.K. Khanna Stadium where the tennis matches are being held, unruly behaviour on the part of some spectators distracted the players.

When Australian tennis player Olivia Rogowska was playing against Indian player Rashmi Chakravarthi, there was shouting from the spectators’ stand each time the former served.

Though Australian did seem to get distracted once or twice, she nevertheless put up a brave front and went on to win the game.