Australia finishes top with 177 medals, including 74 golds NEW DELHI: The most controversial Commonwealth Games in history - marked by oppressive security and low spectator turnout - came to a close Thursday without any major glitches as India celebrated the finale with an extravagant cultural show. Indian administrators were roundly criticized by local and international media and foreign sports delegations before the Games for delays in getting the facilities ready. At one point it had even appeared that the Games would have to be canceled. But once the Games started on Oct. 3, all the venues were cleaned up and ready. Athletes praised the facilities at the venues and at the village, and only a handful of the more than 6,000 players and officials were reported sick during the Games, belying fears of contaminated water and “Delhi belly.” India was also successful in the sports arena, winning a record 101 medals, finishing second behind Australia with 38 golds, the last one coming in women's badminton singles by Saina Nehwal. Australia finished with 177 medals, including 74 golds. England was third with 37 golds. Jason Wilson and Luke Doerner scored two goals each as world champion Australia beat India 8-0 to win its fourth straight Commonwealth Games men's field hockey gold. In badminton, top-ranked Lee Chong Wei defended his men's singles title with a 21-10, 21-8 win over Rajiv Ouseph of England in 30 minutes. A hard-fought women's singles final ended with Nehwal, ranked third in the world, beating Wong Mew Chew of Malaysia 19-21, 23-21, 21-13. In the netball final, New Zealand beat traditional rival Australia 66-64 in extra time, while England took the bronze with a 70-47 win over Jamaica. Chrystalleni Trikomiti of Cyprus won gold medals in the rope and ribbon and bronze in the hoop and ball at rhythmic gymnastics. The marathon races, which started at 6 A.M. local time, drew few spectators despite a public holiday being declared in Delhi. Kenya's John Kelai won the men's race ahead of Australian Michael Shelley with Irene Jerotich Kosgei leading home Irene Mogake in a Kenyan one-two in the women's race. Indian authorities will also heave a sigh of relief that the Games passed off without any security incidents - no surprise given that tens of thousands of armed security forces had turned stadiums and streets leading to them into virtual fortresses. This resulted in many spectators staying away. The low turnout was also the result of mismanagement in the ticketing authority, whose head was fired midway through the competition. Technical glitches prevented people from buying tickets online and those who showed up at the stadium were told that tickets had been sold out. Local media have also reported alleged corruption, with millions of dollars being pocketed by officials and cronies from the money allocated for the construction of facilities. Estimates for the budget of the games range from $3 billion to $6 billion, making it the most expensive games ever. But all the controversies were forgotten Thursday, as India celebrated the successful completion of the Games with a cultural show at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The closing ceremony began with a performance of the martial arts from several provinces of India, and showcased the culture of Scotland, which will host the next Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. Unlike karate, kung-fu and jujitsu, traditional Indian martial arts are little known, even within India, and remain confined mostly to their regions. Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the local organizing committee, reiterated Commonwealth Games chief Mike Fennell's comments about the success of the Games. “There were apprehensions before the Games began,” Kalmadi said, “but all aspects surrounding the athletes - the conduct of the event, the overall set-up, the Games village, the entertainment and food - have been really enjoyed by them and they all return home with a great appreciation of India.” Fennell Thursday saluted Delhi 2010, but admitted that the creaking showpiece needs to rethink its timing and rebrand its image. “When I arrived in Delhi on Sept. 23, people asked me when was I going to announce the cancellation of the Games,” said Fennell, just hours ahead of the closing ceremony. “People were asking athletes ‘why are you going to India?”, ‘why are you going to Delhi?' “Last year I gave a press conference here and I was asked if there was a Plan B. I said Plan B was Delhi and Delhi has performed.” Despite his praise for the Games, Fennell admitted that the timing of the event, already being held in a jam-packed sports calendar and in a year which has already seen a Winter Olympics and football World Cup, needs to be reviewed. In summarizing the Games, Fennell, who had issued stark warnings over construction delays in the run-up to the event, said that overall he could offer nothing but praise for the final product. “Competitors are happy and comfortable. There were one or two minor incidents, but they have reported their satisfaction,” he said. – AgenciesMedals Table Nation G S B Total Australia 74 55 48 177 India 38 27 36 101 England 37 59 46 142 Canada 26 17 32 75 South Africa 12 11 10 33 Kenya 12 11 9 32 Malaysia 12 10 14 36 Singapore 11 11 9 31 Nigeria 11 10 14 35 Scotland 9 10 7 26 New Zealand 6 22 8 36 Cyprus 4 3 4 11 N. Ireland 3 3 4 10 Samoa 3 0 1 4 Wales 2 7 10 19 Jamaica 2 4 1 7 Pakistan 2 1 2 5 Uganda 2 0 0 2 Bahamas 1 1 3 5 Sri Lanka 1 1 1 3 Nauru 1 1 0 2 Botswana 1 0 3 4 Cayman Islands 1 0 0 1 St. Vincent 1 0 0 1 Trinidad 0 4 2 6 Cameroon 0 2 4 6 Ghana 0 1 3 4 Namibia 0 1 2 3 PNG 0 1 0 1 Seychelles 0 1 0 1 Isle of Man 0 0 2 2 Mauritius 0 0 2 2 Tonga 0 0 2 2 Bangladesh 0 0 1 1 Guyana 0 0 1 1 St. Lucia 0 0 1 1 __
