Crowd outside the Commonwealth Games Venues

The 2010 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games, were held in Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010. A total of 6,081 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies competed in 21 sports and 272 events, making it the largest Commonwealth Games to date. It was also the largest international multi-sport event to be staged in Delhi and India, eclipsing the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. It was the first time that the Commonwealth Games were held in India and the second time it was held in Asia after Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998. The official mascot of the Games was Shera and the official song of the Games, "Jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto", was composed by celebrated Indian musician A.R. Rahman. The internationally acclaimed opening ceremony improved the image of the Games, and dispelled negative notions surrounding them, with many observers remarking that they began on an apprehensive note, but was an exceptional experience with a largely positive ending. The final medal tally was led by Australia. The host nation India had its best performance ever to finish second.

The initial total budget estimated by the Indian Olympic Association in 2003 for hosting the Games was INR1, 620 crore (US$294.84 million). In 2010, however, the official total budget soon escalated to an estimated INR11, 500 crore (US$2.09 billion), a figure which excluded non-sports-related infrastructure development. Business Today magazine estimated that the Games cost INR60, 000 crore (US$10.92 billion). The 2010 Commonwealth Games are reportedly the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever. A four-lane flyway, 2.2 km stretch from Lodhi Road to trans-Yamuna, linking the Games Village to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was constructed which reduced the travelling time between the village and the Stadium to six minutes. To facilitate hassle-free sightseeing in Delhi, Delhi Tourism undertook the launch of India's very first Hop On Hop Off bus known as HOHO DELHI, modelled on popular concept of transport facilities in Western countries. The bus, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies like digital video screens and GPS systems, also had trained guides who were responsible for giving information about the sites.

In addition to physical preparation, free accommodation for all athletes at the Games Village, as well as free transport and other benefits, such as a free trip to the famed Taj Mahal and a reserved lane for participants on selected highways was provided. The Games Village with a capacity to house over 8,000 athletes and officials for the Games was constructed. There were 71 participating nations at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. As Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth, it was banned from participating in the Games. Rwanda fielded a team for the games for the first time after becoming a Commonwealth member in 2009. The numbers of athletes from each country is shown in brackets. Tokelau was initially expected to compete, but did not do so.

Source: Wikipedia

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