With athletes pulling out and the reputation of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in tatters, Keme Nzerem talks to the competitors who are taking part.
After 63 years of independence, the Commonwealth Games comes to India – the Commonwealth’s biggest country. The 17 sports and 7,000 plus athletes were to shine a light on Delhi – a global city soon to number 17 million.
Invented in the dying days of the British empire, what is the Commonwealth, without its very own version of the Olympics?
Delhi 2010, said the organisers, would be the best Commonwealth Games ever. That, however, was long before a slew of high profile no shows – 100m world champion and world record holder Usain Bolt, double European champion Mo Farah, and Sir Chris Hoy – the first Briton to win three gold medals in a single Olympics – included. Many say the tournament just is not important any more – the Commonwealth, it seems, is a struggling brand.
But not everywhere.
Consider the highlands of East Africa’s Rift valley – home to the cream of the world’s middle distance runners. It’s where Mo Farah goes to gain focus and train. Want to make a name for yourself as a Kenyan athlete? The Commonwealth Games is a must.
Whatever Delhi’s problems, many of the athletes pounding the dusty roads near the training camps of Iten and Eldoret are India-bound.
The current 800m Olympic silver medallist Janet Busienei got her first break in 2006, during the Melbourne Commonwealth Games – and says the contest is “something bigger than the other championships because it’s when I really began my career.”
And reigning 5000m world champion Vivian Cheruiyot says Delhi’s woes haven’t put her off.
“I’m ready to go and compete in the Commonwealth Games despite what is happening now in New Delhi,” she said.
Like India, Kenya escaped the British Empire over half a century ago. But what, other than a national language, do they still have in common?
John Ekiru Kelai is hoping to win the marathon – having won accolades over the 26 gruelling mile distance before. But racing against other Commonwealth nations holds a special allure.
“For me actually it means a lot, not just the name Commonwealth. It reminds me about the history of the Commonwealth countries and how they came together. And let’s say I win, it will mean a lot to my country, to my people.”
There is much talk about whether the Commonwealth Games’ ballooning price tag is money well spent. The same arguments were well rehearsed after China hosted a successful Olympics, and South Africa a well regarded football World Cup. Could India not project her global status by improving infant mortality and tackling poverty?
Valid questions for politicians, but ask athletes competing in less popular sports like wrestling, and it’s a rare chance to enjoy a global stage.
Like the wrestlers of India’s northern states – Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. And ready to take on all comers is medal winning freestyle wrestling champion Sushil Kumar, only just home from the world championships in Moscow.
“The Commonwealth Games are second only to the Olympics,” he said.
“Athletes who have an aspiration to be a champion should come as it’s the second biggest event – and competing increases our confidence, technique and exposure.”
The city where all the Commonwealth’s teams will converge – Delhi. It’s also home, for a short while at least, to its newest member – French speaking Rwanda. A club often derided as a colonial relic clearly retains a modicum of allure.
“We were colonised by the French – but now people want to be associated with English speaking nations,” says Bonnie Mugabe, the Rwandan Chef de Mission.
Rwanda acceded last November. Like Cameroon and Mozambique before them, they perceived benefits of integrating with their English speaking neighbours.
There’s talk that one day even Israel and Yemen might join up too. While the Commonwealth’s budget has plummeted over the years, trade between members has soared.
Rwandan athlete Disi Dieudonné came 17th in the Beijing marathon – 17th in Athens too. This, by definition, is his first Commonwealth Games – but the real impact, he says, is being felt back home.
“It’s very nice because it opens the door for every country. In the Commonwealth, other countries can come to Rwanda like home,” he said.
India’s games were meant to be a showcase to the world. There was even talk of laying the groundwork for a successful Olympic bid. Delhi may have been let down by their preparations – but the welcome will certainly be warm.