Delhi Yet to Give Green Signal to Olympic Relay

This would perhaps be the last time the Olympic torch relay touched Indian shores. It is ironic that a relay symbolizing peace and hope was drawn into a political battle, as pro-Tibet activists tried their utmost best to disrupt the route of the Beijing Olympic torch all over the world.

“We wanted the torch to go all around but if something wrong is happening to it then why do something negative,” says Indian Olympic Association secretary Randhir Singh.

But then what happens to the queen’s baton relay for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The baton for the Delhi Games was unveiled last month and is scheduled to start its journey to the 71 commonwealth countries in November this year from London.

A section of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) wants the international leg of the relay to be scrapped. Even the Asian games torch relay will be limited to host nations but where do India's sporting ambassadors stand?

“As it is already a lot of worry that the international committee is coming to India. Though I think that these are tough times and logistically it will a tough task but I still feel that the Commonwealth torch relay should actually happen,” Gaurav Natekar, former Davis Cup tennis player said,.