 "India Open 2026 fiasco casts shadow on country's ambition of hosting Olympics")
India aims to join an elite group of nations a decade from now by hosting the 2036 Olympics, with Ahmedabad as the host city. That they have already been awarded the 2030 Commonwealth Games has only boosted the country’s hopes of becoming only the fourth Asian nation to host the world’s biggest multi-sporting event after Japan, South Korea and China.
India, however, will need a massive upgrade to its existing sporting infrastructure if they are to host an event of that scale. India had previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010, as well as the Asian Games twice (1951 and 1982). The Olympics, however, will require effort and dedication on a whole new level from the Indian government and its people.
The India Open Super 750 that had taken place from 13 to 18 January, however, has served a harsh reality check for the country and its lofty ambitions. The event that took place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi earlier this month has once again come under scrutiny for poor facilities, with the air quality in the national capital not going unnoticed either.
Denmark’s Blichfeldt, Antonsen slam facilities, pollution during India Open
Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt had slammed pollution in the city as well as sub-par infrastructure after bowing out of the tournament in the Round of 16 last year, and renewed her criticism earlier this month.
Blichfeldt felt there was little change despite the India Open organisers moving the event from the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, adding that the chilly conditions at the practice arena did not help either when it came to preparing for matches.
With the IGI Stadium set to host the World Championships later this year, Blichfeldt urged BWF – the Malaysia-based governing body for the sport, to intervene and prevent players from suffering health complications.
Though BAI refuted her allegations, with leading Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth also voicing support for the Indian federation, Blichfeldt's comments were backed by compatriot Anders Antonsen, who withdrew from the tournament citing hazardous air quality in Delhi.
Also Read | Inside India Open Stadium: Garbage on the floor, stench in washrooms and a lackadaisical tournament
Criticism from some of the top shuttlers in the world has once again raised questions over India’s ability to host top sporting events outside cricket. And whether they are able to pull off the World Championships in August or not will go a long way in setting the tone as far as their Olympic dreams are concerned.
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