London Olympics Organising Committee chairman Sebastian Coe tells DNA that the CWG experience will help India in hosting the Olympics, but they should not rush it.
The build up to these Games have been controversial and has taken a lot of sheen from it. What are your thoughts?
It is the past and all is well now.
How difficult it is to host a multi-sport event?
I feel anywhere in the world nobody should think that hosting a multi-sport event is easy. I do this full time so I know it’s not easy. And if you want to build an international legacy through sports, sometimes we have to take sport outside its traditional backyard and challenge ourselves. And sometimes we have to take on those challenges if we want sports to provide any legacy to the younger generation, globally.
What is your general observation so far?
I have been to the athletes Village here and have spoken to athletes from our countries (Wales, England, Scotland and Isle of Man), India as well as some other countries. They were all making very positive observations about the Village, the quality of sports and the venues. We need to understand the athletes are the most important people in any Games. It is not about organisers, the politicians, or the sponsors. So far, these Games have proved that point well. And I take lead from there.
Are you happy with the way Games have been conducted?
I have been here for 24 hours now, so far I have been to seven sports and they have been worked very well. The field of play has had good atmosphere around it. I think it’s been fantastic so far. Competition wise, I feel the Games have been a success.
From a sportsman’s perspective why is it important that all the athletes travelled to New Delhi despite so many things happening before the Games?
I feel most people in sports understand that in the end it is not just about sports. It is also about bringing different communities together. It is also important to participate in these Games if we want the world to benefit. As I said, occasionally you have to take it out of your own backyard and take it to more challenging places. And is it worth it? Yes it is. And from a sportsman’s perspective when you finish your career, if you are a track and field athlete especially, you won’t sit and count how many times you finished first or how many world records have you broken. What matters is how many major championships you have won and CWG is a major championship.
India is placed second in medals tally. Your thoughts?
That has certainly generated a buzz among people. But it is important India builds on this. Despite the complexities in conducting you guys have had so many athletes to have won medals. It is important your federations cash in on this and involve more youngsters. It is very important now to keep the momentum going.
India plans to bid for the 2020 Olympics. Are we ready?
Is anybody really ready to host an Olympics? You have to plan and prepare well. These Games has given India a very good experience, which will prove to be very valuable for Olympics. One day. I am sure they will want to look at that, but I’m not sure that it should be quite yet.
Any lessons for London 2012 from these Games?
You always learn. Any organising committee chairman that tells you that they don’t go to major event and learn something, you cannot believe him. You don’t get that many opportunities as an OC chairman to go see other multi-sports events. It happens once in four years. But the Opening Ceremony I hear was excellent, and I cannot wait to see the Closing Ceremony.
The stadiums I have been to are world class. The facilities at the Main Press Centre are really good. I would have anyway come here because I have a very close connection with this country for family reasons (he spent his childhood in New Delhi) as well as having many close friends here.
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