New Delhi:
Four British cyclists may have become the latest to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games but the Indian cycling team said it would neither dilute the competition nor devalue the medals in any way.
Geraint Thomas of Wales, Peter Kennaugh of the Isle of Man, and Ian Stannard and Ben Swift of England pulled out of the games, citing fears over sanitation at the Games village and safety issues of some venues.
But national cycling team's foreign coach Graham Seers said it doesn't matter and won't affect the game in anyway.
"The competition will go on. At the end, it would only matter who won ... who came first, who came second and so on. History will just show the winners," Graham Seers said.
"1984 Olympics in Los Angeles was boycotted by 14 countries. Would you say the medals earned were of any less value? The medals won here will not be of any less value than the other games," he added.
Seers said personally he feels athletes should have attended the Games as mishaps can happen anywhere in the world.
"If I were an international player, I would have come and attended the Games. Accidents can happen anywhere. You could get hit walking on the roads in London. It is just the matter of being in the wrong place in the wrong time," Seers said.
His voices found in echo in team coach Chayan Chowdhury.
"The pullouts really will not effect the competition much. In any type of racing, nobody knows who is going to be the winner. Whoever is in form on that particular day, will win the race. Jo jeeta wohi sikander (whoever wins is the king)," said Chowdhury.
Cyclist Somvir said there is plenty of competition and even if few cyclist are not willing to come, it won't have any bearing on the Games.
"The Games will not be effected much. If one does not come, others will. There is plenty of competition available in the Games," said the cyclist.
"The Games are important and so are the medals."
Seers stressed that the team has been making tremendous progress and this week women's team covered almost 370 kms and men covered 420 kms.
"We have had an excellent practise session this time and we are hopeful about the Games," he said.
Though a little concerned about the Games, Choudhury said there is nothing to be worried as such.
"Look, the venue is ready. And what little things are needed, it will be done. Those are just finishing touches," he added.
Geraint Thomas of Wales, Peter Kennaugh of the Isle of Man, and Ian Stannard and Ben Swift of England pulled out of the games, citing fears over sanitation at the Games village and safety issues of some venues.
But national cycling team's foreign coach Graham Seers said it doesn't matter and won't affect the game in anyway.
"The competition will go on. At the end, it would only matter who won ... who came first, who came second and so on. History will just show the winners," Graham Seers said.
"1984 Olympics in Los Angeles was boycotted by 14 countries. Would you say the medals earned were of any less value? The medals won here will not be of any less value than the other games," he added.
Seers said personally he feels athletes should have attended the Games as mishaps can happen anywhere in the world.
"If I were an international player, I would have come and attended the Games. Accidents can happen anywhere. You could get hit walking on the roads in London. It is just the matter of being in the wrong place in the wrong time," Seers said.
His voices found in echo in team coach Chayan Chowdhury.
"The pullouts really will not effect the competition much. In any type of racing, nobody knows who is going to be the winner. Whoever is in form on that particular day, will win the race. Jo jeeta wohi sikander (whoever wins is the king)," said Chowdhury.
Cyclist Somvir said there is plenty of competition and even if few cyclist are not willing to come, it won't have any bearing on the Games.
"The Games will not be effected much. If one does not come, others will. There is plenty of competition available in the Games," said the cyclist.
"The Games are important and so are the medals."
Seers stressed that the team has been making tremendous progress and this week women's team covered almost 370 kms and men covered 420 kms.
"We have had an excellent practise session this time and we are hopeful about the Games," he said.
Though a little concerned about the Games, Choudhury said there is nothing to be worried as such.
"Look, the venue is ready. And what little things are needed, it will be done. Those are just finishing touches," he added.
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