THE Games ultimately belonged to the athletes. The shame that the officials of the Organising Committee (OC) incurred for their callous treatment of the workforce, the volunteers and the athletes, the most important actors in this sporting drama, diminished to some extent amidst the celebrations that the medals tally triggered among Indian fans.
The spirit of the Commonwealth Games was highlighted when Jamaican athlete Trecia Smith was named winner of the David Dixon Award at the closing ceremony of the 10-day sporting event on October 14. The award is given in recognition of sporting excellence, combined with fair play and team spirit. Having finished her event, Trecia, a physiotherapist, lost no time in joining the Jamaican medical team to help her teammates prepare for their respective events.
Saina Nehwal, a fitting brand ambassador for the sport of badminton, created magic on the courts to land a gold medal that brought India unmatched glory in the history of the Commonwealth Games. It was a gold that meant so much for Saina, badminton and India. Her sensational comeback, saving a match point, against a tough opponent from Malaysia earned India its 38th gold medal, one more than England's. Australia remained the great sporting force that it is by claiming 177 medals – 74 gold, 55 silver and 48 bronze. Having begun with just one bronze in 1934 in the second edition of the Commonwealth Games, India has come a long way indeed, finally crossing the 100-medal mark in Delhi. England won 59 silver medals against India's 27, but the Games reflected gloriously on the progress that the home nation has made.
Theatre of joy
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