We are ready to host Olympics 2020: Kalmadi

Suresh Kalmadi wants India to host 2020 Olympics and successful hosting of the CYG and CWG would give India a strong chance.

As Pune wakes up to host the biggest international sporting extravaganza, the Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) in India, its brainchild Suresh Kalmadi says this is just the “stepping stone” in his quest to give shape to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s dream of bringing Olympics to India.

The IOA President, who was instrumental in piping Canada to bring Commonwealth Games 2010 to the capital, in a freewheeling interview said his ultimate aim is to bring the 2020 Olympics to the country and successful hosting of the CYG and CWG would give India a strong chance when the bidding happens in 2011.

“CYG in Pune is the just the first step towards achieving Rajiv Gandhi’s dream of bringing Olympics to India. I hope that CYG, where athletes from 71 countries are vying for top honours in nine disciplines becomes a roaring success so that we make a mark for a strong bidding in 2011. The distribution will be made in 2013 — that’s the ultimate dream,” Kalmadi, who is also the organising committee chairman of CYG, said.

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“Beating Canada to bag the CWG 2010 was a sporting milestone. Delhi is going on the right way to stage the games after two years. We have to show the foreign athletes that India is capable…”

The last time Delhi hosted such a big event was in the ninth Asian Games way back in 1982.

The seasoned sporting administrator added that India’s good show at the Beijing this year has given a huge fillip to the Olympic discipline sports and hoped that the country’s sporting culture gets a boost.

“The first ever gold in shooting (Abhinav Bindra), bronze medals in wrestling (Sushil Kumar) and boxing (Sushil Kumar) really is a huge motivation for the Indian youths who would be participating here during October 12-18. SAI’s granting of Rs 750 crores will help us give our athletes training and offer them world class facilities for 300 days a year. From that 300 days, I’ve planned out to send them for foreign exposure for 100 days in a year to give the proper scientific support to them. I see India becoming a strong Olympic force in the coming years.”

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The world class infrastructure that has come up in Balewadi is a definite boost to our athletes craving for good facilities, added Kalmadi.

“That 71 countries are taking part hasn’t happened before. The first CYG (Edinburgh) saw 12 countries, while the second edition (Bentigo) had 12 nations… Thanks from the state and Centre’s help of Rs 2,500 crores to uplift the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, the work is complete for athletics, swimming, shooting, wrestling, tennis, badminton, table tennis, weightlifting and boxing venues.

“We have state-of-the-art equipment and all complexes are capable of holding 2,500-5,000 spectators each. Besides we got Rs 500 crore for developing the infrastucture in the city… I am sure it will be a grand success.”

He further said that he would ensure that Pune complex remains active post-CYG by bringing in foreign athletes for training during winter.

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“That will be a source of revenue for us… The sports minister also has promised a lot of national training camps here. Our state athletes’ training can also go on here. The biggest advantage is 2,000 rooms that we have,” he said.

On India’s medal chances here, Kalmadi said Saina Nehwal (badminton) and Virdhawal Khade (swimming) have been a revelation in Beijing.

“Watch out for the Saina and Khade, the duo are really making it big. Besides I hope we have good chance in wrestling, boxing, shooting, swimming and badminton…” To crack down on doping, Kalmadi said, “A full-fledged dope centre has come up in Delhi. IOC has extended full support and here (in Balewadi) a WADA team is camping giving seminars and conducting clinics… I want clean games.”