Games briefs

Singapore committed to CWG
The chaotic build-up to the Delhi Commonwealth Games might have left some participating nations jittery but Singapore is not one of them and remains committed to sending its 68 athletes for the October 3 to 14 event. The attack on a tourist in the Indian capital has not unsettled the Singaporeans,who would also have 34 officials in their delegation. “We are advised to participate in the games as of now,” an official at the Singapore National Olympic Council said. Singapore sportsmen have prepared for the Games and they would want to have an opportunity to see how they can perform,” the local media quoted chef-de-mission Annabel Pennefather as saying. But the Ministry said it was closely monitoring the situation in the Indian capital and would continue to do so in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games following the shooting incident,which left two Taiwanese tourists injured.

13-yr-old diver in UK squad
Leeds schoolgirl Alicia Blagg is poised to plunge into the international sporting spotlight at the tender age of 13. Diving starlet Alicia,from Woodlesford,will be the youngest member of England’s squad at next month’s Commonwealth Games. She will also fly the flag for England in the women’s three-metre synchronised springboard with 26-year-old Rebecca Gallantree,from Armley. The Royds School Language College pupil is competing in the women’s individual three-metre springboard at the games,taking place in the Indian city of Delhi. Alicia will be cheered on in Delhi by proud mum Helen. “I’m going to be apprehensive – but then I always am when I’m watching her but nerves or no nerves,though,there’s no way in the world I’d miss it,” she said. Alicia took up diving at seven after impressing City of Leeds talent spotters with her gymnastic abilities when they visited her school of that time,Woodlesford Primary.

Wilkie was found at CWG
Many of the great names of Scottish sport first came to prominence at the Commonwealth Games,and foremost among them is David Wilkie. The swimmer from Edinburgh won eight gold medals at major championships,culminating in his triumph at the 1976 Olympics. But it all began in his home town in 1970,when the Commonwealth Games were held in Scotland for the first time,and he won a bronze in the 200 metres breaststroke. “I was a total amateur in those days,I hardly trained. I didn’t know what to expect competing at that level,and I was really totally unprepared and unready.”