Athletes are expected to set new records as eight gold medals are up for grabs on the first day of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
The games opened on Sunday with a dazzling ceremony that highlighted the cultural diversity of India and concluded with spectacular firework display. A total of eight gold medals will be awarded today with five in swimming, two in weightlifting and one in gymnastics.
England Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Adlington is expected to repeat her stellar swimming performance in Delhi. Australians are also expected to fare well in the swimming competitions.
The games are not seeing the participation of the track and filed giant Usain Bolt, who holds the world record over 100m and 200m, due to lower back problems. South Africa's 800m world champion Caster Semenya is also not participating because of injuries.
It is not just injuries that have prevented the players from visiting Delhi. Jamaican Asafa Powell, who was the previous world record holder in sprint, pentathlete Jessica Ennis and distance runner Mo Farah have bowed out of the games due to personal reasons.
Security concerns have deterred the participation of England's
Olympic Triple Jump medalist Phillips Idowu as he had concerns about safety. South African long-jumper Khotso Mokoena also decided to pass citing
security fears.
India has deployed over 100,000 police and paramilitary forces in Delhi to guard the games. Australian contingent has added another layer of protection by hiring private security guards apart from seeking the cover of Australian federal police.
