Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) Former sprint queen P.T. Usha feels it is indifferent form and injuries and not the recent controversies that have resulted in the pullout of some top foreign athletes from the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.
A number of athletes have withdrawn citing reasons ranging from unhygienic conditions and security fears in the Indian capital.

“I do not think it has anything to do with the security or controversies related to the Games. Some of them are injured and others are not in form and therefore not willing to participate. The discuss thrower (Dani Samuels) who pulled out competed only twice this year,” Usha said on the sidelines of the Olympic Gold Quest’s launch of ‘Power your Champion’ programme.

“I would like to say to the Indian athletes to concentrate on their performance. I know they will be feeling bad with all these controversies and players pulling out. They have worked very hard for the Games and I feel they should focus on their performance and not let all this affect them.”

World chess champion Viswanathan Anand also felt the Indian athletes should not get distracted by the brouhaha surrounding the Games.

“I would not like to talk about what all is happening in the Commonweath Games. I just hope that our athletes do not get distracted by all this and focus on winning lots of medals for our country,” Anand said.

Multiple Grand Slam winner Leander Paes resonated the same view.

“I know right now there is a lot happening around the Commonwealth Games. But I would not like to meddle into all this. I am focussed on representing my country and doing my best at the Games. I am leaving tonight for Bangkok where Mahesh (Bhupathi) and I will be playing to prepare for the Commonwealth Games. Hopefully, we will do well,” he said.