Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell, who was often seen holding diametrically opposite views of the organising committee on the status of preparations for the Games and even during it, on Thursday gave thumbs up to Delhi for performing and delivering when needed.
Addressing his last press conference here, Mr Fennell said Delhi had performed and the overall image of the Games had been extremely positive. He said that there was never a point where he thought of any alternative venue for the Games.
“When I was leaving India on September 23, I was even asked when was I going to announce cancellation of the Games. I said our job is to fix problems and not give up,” said Mr Fennell, adding that he was also asked whether there was any plan B. “Even then I said that Delhi is Plan B. It was always Delhi and Delhi has performed,” said the CGF chief.
On the issue of his differences with the OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi, the CGF president said that whatever may be the differences, the point was that they both wanted the same result.
Mr Fennell also expressed satisfaction at the response from the crowds. He was, however, apprehensive in the initial days of the Games when there were very few people in the stadia. Subsequently, however, things improved, he said.
Although maintaining that his comments were “provisional” and there would detailed evaluation and a post-mortem, Mr Fennell said that the image of the Games was not damaged anywhere during the entire event. “The athletes are happy, the broadcast was good and the image of the Games has not been affected across the world,” said Mr Fennell.