Archives
A langur sits on a cycle outside the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, one of the venues for the Commonwealth Games, in New Delhi, India, yesterday. (Photo: AP)
NEW DELHI, India — Security officials at the Commonwealth Games aren't monkeying around anymore, deploying langurs at several venues in New Delhi to keep smaller simians from causing any trouble. Langurs are a common type of monkey in south Asia, and because they are large and fierce they are often used in India to keep other monkeys in check in public places.
The 19th edition of the Commonwealth Games, only the second to be held is Asia after Kuala Lumpur in 1998, has also seen its share of other animal-related issues, among other more serious problems already facing organisers. Besides the stray dogs that run rampant on the streets, a one-metre (4-foot) cobra was found at the tennis venue and another snake was caught in a room at the athletes' village.
Sacred cows also roam unimpeded in the capital city.
Security remains a high priority in New Delhi with thousands of heavily armed police and military personnel scattered throughout the city.
"To me, it's great. It's what we want at every games," England women's field hockey captain Kate Walsh said. "It's definitely reassuring. I'm sure for all the girls, it's the same."
Besides the usual problems facing organisers as the October 3-14 games near, the games were dealt another blow when South African runner Caster Semenya pulled out of the competition because of a back injury.
Semenya, who won the 800-metre world title last year in Berlin, had been the biggest star still left in the games after the withdrawal of several other high-profile athletes, including Usain Bolt, David Rudisha, Jessica Ennis and Scottish cyclist Chris Hoy.
The Commonwealth Games have been plagued by problems for weeks, most significantly at the athletes' village, which was described as uninhabitable last week. But after an urgent clean-up operation, competitors have been moving in by the hundreds as the opening ceremony nears.
"The village is fantastic. The rooms are brilliant," Walsh said. "The lounges are the most spacious I think we've probably ever had in a world sports games. We've settled in and made it our home for the next two weeks."
