New Delhi: The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee on Thursday announced that it will be organising three separate sporting events besides the major disciplines during the October 3-14 extravaganza.
Though the dates for the three events - Cyclothon, Marathon and Walkathon - are yet to be finalised, an official in the OC said, "We have set tentative dates and some events will be conducted on October 9, 10, 13 and 14."
The reason behind organising such events, said the official, is to generate interest among the masses.
Most of the events will be held in central Delhi, around Connaught place, and measures are in place to launch the events amidst a lot of fanfare.
"All seven radials (exit and entry points) in CP will be closed off to the traffic. One will be open to athletes while others will have spectator galleries. People can come to watch the event and cheer for the participants," said the official.
Another venue for such events is Greater Noida, where cycling is going to take place.
"We have chosen Greater Noida because it has lighter traffic and wider roads as compared to Delhi," he said.
Meanwhile, the official pointed out that all countries participating in the Games will take part in these events and registration is already over.
"Our registration is already done with. We have participants from all countries," he said.
Assuring that the main events during the Games will not be disrupted due to these events, the official said, "It is not necessary that athletes participating in these events are also involved in the main events."
The last international cycling event here in August had thrown the traffic out of gear in the heart of the Capital as major roads were closed for public from early morning till afternoon.
This time too the traffic will be diverted to the Outer Ring Road as all roads surrounding the venue will be shut, said the OC official.
He, however, said that there is nothing to worry as the events will start very early, sometime as early as 6:30 in the morning and there will be ample security in the venues.