South African swimmer Roland Schoeman had yesterday condemned crowd antics describing them like "monkeys", while an English official used an expletive against Indian archery head coach Limba Ram in two different incidents.
Two racial slurs in as many days directed at the Indian officials have threatened to further stain the troubled Games. South African swimmer Roland Schoeman said the crowd at the SP Mukherjee Swimming Complex were acting like “monkeys”, then went on to add that the Games were “a joke”.
Schoeman, a former world record holder, was furious that the noise generated at the start of his 50m freestyle semifinal meant he entered the water too early.
“It’s unacceptable to be at a professional event like this and have people going on like monkeys. Someone like that doesn’t deserve to be here,” said Schoeman, who was allowed to restart and qualified for Saturday’s final.
Schoeman’s remarks come days after New Zealand TV host made derogatory remarks concerning New Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit’s name.
Unfortunately for the OC, Schoeman’s outburst is the latest worrying incident as relations between teams, spectators and officials are strained. While the Games so far have been severely criticised for its shambolic organisation, the racist remarks towards the hosts threaten to take away the little sheen that is left. Earlier this week, Australian wrestler Hassene Fkiri was disqualified for making the one fingered salute to the officials after losing his gold medal battle to Anil Kumar.
On Friday, India’s archery coach Limba Ram claimed he was abused by a foreign official after his women’s team won gold by beating England on Friday. “I extended my hand to this person wearing white and red. He shoved my hand away and told me ‘f*** ***’,” Ram said.
Games chief Mike Fennell said such remarks defy the concept of the Friendly Games, which the CWG is called. “We do not tolerate racial slurs or abusive behaviour, and when it happens we have to take measures to control it. People will be dealt with according to proper measures,” Fennell said. But OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot said no complaint will be lodged over the “unfortunate incident”.
Schoeman, however, began his damage control exercise. “The behaviour by that individual was unacceptable and my comments are directed solely at him. The spectators have been fantastic here. But an individual like that doesn’t deserve to be sitting poolside at an international competition,” he said on his Twitter account.
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