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When cowardice is rational, honest and brave

David Penberthy

by David Penberthy

23 Sep 05:50am

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Filed under: Commonwealth Games, Dani Samuels, Delhi Games, India, New Delhi, Terrorism

47 comments

If there was a prize for droll understatement in public relations, the man to beat right now would be New Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat who, with 23 construction workers being rushed to hospital after a bridge collapsed at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium early yesterday, had this to say:

Chucking it in…Dani Samuels in action. Photo: Courier Mail

“The pictures on TV make it look much worse than it is.”

The indefatigable Mr Bhagat might have graduated with flying colours from the school of “It’s not a turd it’s a chocolate éclair” media management, but nobody else is buying it.

There is a natural tendency in journalism, which reflects a broader human tendency, to dwell on negatives and expect the worst. The bleak coverage in the lead-up to the Sydney Olympics is a case in point. Everything from public transport planning and VIP gold seat ticketing to the proposed importation of American marching bands and the issuing of spots in the torch relay for members of the Olympic Family was the subject of relentlessly downbeat coverage, predicting the event would not only be a catastrophe but possibly an affront to our way of life.

The verdict? Best games ever.

The coverage in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi is in a different category. It’s likely that things will not just be every bit as bad as has been reported, but possibly also worse.

On almost every measure, there are signs that the planning surrounding the Games has been found seriously wanting. Security has already been breached, prompting laughably dissembling explanations from the authorities as to how the shooting in broad daylight of two Taiwanese holiday-makers, smack bang in the middle of Delhi’s busiest tourist precinct, wasn’t technically an act of terror.

And whatever Mr Bhagat had to say about it, the collapse of a 50m pedestrian bridge onto a crane and a couple of dozen labourers became a valid metaphor for the broader infrastructure problems surrounding the Games, as evidenced earlier by the Kiwis’ declaration that the athletes village is “unfit for human habitation”.

Against this backdrop, the decision by Australian world discus champion and gold medal hopeful Dani Samuels to pull out of the Games should appear neither controversial nor surprising. It is 100 per cent logical and sane.

You could mount a decent argument that it was actually a courageous decision by Dani Samuels to put her hand up and speak openly about how frightened she was about going to compete in a country where the most sober security experts are predicting an 80 per cent probability that a significant act of terrorist violence will occur in the next fortnight.

“For a couple of weeks I’ve struggled to sleep, felt ill, haven’t been able to train properly. The closer the deadline gets, the scarier the situation has become. So I’ve decided it’s not worth the risk ... I just can’t bring myself to go.”

Samuels’ comments were honest, and understandable. She isn’t alone. There are people in the media who had a chance to cover these Games but have declined. There are a few other athletes who have had muscle twinges or worries with form. If not for the spectre of violence, they may have decided to dose themselves up on painkillers or hope that the adrenalin could carry them through competition.

But Daniels was the first person to say that she has been listening to the warnings and following the coverage and decided on balance that it isn’t worth risking her life to play sport.

Hawkish, hairy-chested critics who trot out the line that the terrorists have won as a result of her actions should ask themselves this – why should the job fall to a 22-one-old woman who is pretty good at chucking a plastic saucer about to sign up for the frontline in the war against terror?

Terrorism has already changed our lives anyway. Every time we acquiesce to a random bomb residue test at the Sydney airport, or take off our shoes as we go through the security screen (you know, just in case we’ve lined them with plastic explosives), we’re conceding that life has changed since September 11, since Bali, London and Madrid.

The reaction in India to Australia’s concerns over security has, predictably enough, been to cry racism. On The Times of India website readers have been arguing that it is more dangerous for Indian students to live in Melbourne than it would be for Australian athletes to compete in Delhi. These comments reflect the deliberate distortions in the seamier sections of the Indian press, where in some cases, violence which has been committed here by Indian nationals against fellow Indian nationals has been held up as further evidence of the violent racism of white Australia. The comments also reflect the large post-colonial chip which India has on its shoulder about any criticism or concern which emanates from an historically Anglo-Saxon nation such as ours.

Maybe it’s time to demonstrate that, rather than encouraging our athletes to waltz into a situation where they are at real risk of violence, we’re not of a mind to endorse the event at all. It would send a pretty clear message that a half-hearted approach to terrorism is not acceptable, and help force a tougher line.

The Sydney-based security firm which predicted an 80 per cent likelihood of a terror attack has been criticised in the Indian press for not sending people to Delhi ahead of delivering its assessment. The report’s author, Roger Henning, said he relied on “contacts on the ground” in making his findings. But he added: “I wouldn’t go there if you gave me first-class tickets, a five-star hotel and front-row seats.”

Neither would I and I don’t think we should expect our athletes to, or criticise them if they choose not to.

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47 comments

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    • steve parker says:

      06:26am | 23/09/10

      Sensible article. I for one having travelled in Southern Asia and loving the place and people was giving the benefit of doubt to the organisers, sure a dripping tap and a few dodgy tiles and a bit of debris around the place are not earth shattering - but when structural things like a pedestrian footbridge start collapsing and tourists visiting a place of workship start getting shot - then it is time to draw stumps.

      Reply

    • Peter says:

      06:53am | 23/09/10

      I too thought Dani Samuels showed a lot of guts going public. She would’ve known the attend-the-games-at-all-costs proponents would queue up to criticize her. But in the end, it is only sport. Political and commercial interests might have a massive vested interest in seeing the games proceed but ultimately, societies turn to the fun and satisfaction of sport only after the more essential elements of existence are well established.Top of that list is security.
      What’s really disappointing is that after the Chinese Communists enforced success at the the Beijing Olympics and a black dictator pulled off a great World soccer Cup in South Africa, the world’s biggest democracy looks like to have comprehensively fumbled its own opportunity to shine.

      Reply

    • Anne71 says:

      12:37pm | 23/09/10

      Well said, Peter. I was appalled to see that quite a few people on the forums yesterday were calling poor Dani a coward, or trotting out “the terrorists have won” cliche. So easy to say that from the comfort of their homes or offices, but I wonder how willing they would be to travel to Delhi,  given the opportunity?

    • Super D says:

      07:24am | 23/09/10

      This is a real dilemma for the Government.  On one hand they have already offended the Indians by refusing to supply them uranium for their nuclear power industry so don’t wish to offend them again by ordering the team not to go.  At the same time though all of the evidence is pointing to an absolute debacle without even throwing the threat of terrorism into the mix. 

      The governments position that it’s up to each athlete to decide to take the risk is all well and good prior to the event though if there is some sort of incident the government will wear it.

      Reply

    • Dave Sag says:

      07:43am | 23/09/10

      A bridge collapsed here in Canberra a few weeks ago, trapping one workman and very nearly killing a whole bunch of them.  It turns out, or at least so I was told, that workers building highway bridges here in the ACT need no special license or even training.  It’s not just in India where people are lazy, take shortcuts and compromise the public’s safety.

      But in truth no-one so far has suggested there is an 80% chance that I could be shot or blown up popping into town to do some shopping.

      But that number, 80%, always makes me suspicious.  Apparently 80% of all statistics involving the number 80% are actually just made up.

      Reply

    • Markus says:

      09:36am | 23/09/10

      As nobody comes to, or has any intention of coming to Canberra, there is no risk to incoming tourists that DFAT needs to warn about.

    • deb says:

      07:56am | 23/09/10

      our people come first.if an athlete is upset and nervous how can they be expected to be ot their best?as someone who was in the states on 9/11 i remember the shock and horror.my husband and i had just returned from New York as truckies .we came off the road for a break in Arkansas and watched in disbelief as the towers came down on tele.i dont wish to see our team hurt.

      Reply

    • Adam Diver says:

      08:04am | 23/09/10

      I would even “spin” it that its the infrastructure not the terroists that pose a significant risk to athletes and spectators.

      Reply

    • Macca says:

      08:49am | 23/09/10

      @AD, agreed, I would be more concerned about the conditions I am expected to live and compete in, constantly worried that the floor underneath me is going to give way (thinking of the Weightlifters and Rhythmic Gymnasts here), the water I’m drinking is going to destroy my vital organs, or that just around the corner is a rabid dog preparing to devour me whole.

    • Macca says:

      12:46pm | 23/09/10

      Actually, to elaborate, I actually don’t think the chance of a terrorist attack is as high as previously stated, my gut feeling is that the games won’t suffer this fate. However, I don’t work for an international security agency or happen to share a beer with an International Spy who has been personally monitoring the situation, not in the last week at least. So my feelings on this are somewhere between trivial and utterly useless.

      In saying that, if there is going to be a terrorist attack, the chances of it being prevented are so pathetic that I could never feel safe.

      And herein lies the problem with India’s CWG. The standards they have set for the games appear so dramatically obsolete I would have absolutely no confidence in walking herds of cattle across the buildings and walkways to ensure their structural intergrity, ala the opening of the Harbour Bridge.

      As an athlete, I would have no confidence that the Stadium or Athletes Village is not going to disintergrate or spontaneously combust during my forthnightly stint there.

      I would not go to India, not because the Terrorists win, but because India has failed to meet the expectations of hosting a World-class event. Whether it be security, construction or scheduling, India’s performance in the lead up to these games have provided with nothing to suggest the Commenwealth games can stand any chance of being a success

    • KH says:

      08:12am | 23/09/10

      I’m old enough to remember Moscow.  I remember when Australia entered the stadium, almost alone of the western countries, and got a standing ovation.  Rightly so - it was a sporting competition, and it was the USA’s problem, not ours - they wanted to boycott, and to our governments credit, they left it to the athletes to decide.  In reality, there was no threat to anyones life.  Hence Australia is one of the few countries to have attended every Olympics.  The government is largely staying out of it again - its up to the athletes to decide, and they have to do that for themselves.  The training and stuff is hard work, and is their whole life - they do it for these types of competitions, so its not an easy decision to walk away from it.  Each person has to decide that individually.  These terrorists are not going to be moved by some fluffy ‘we’re a big family’ nonsense - they can only be seeing this as a chance to get on the front pages again.

      Personally, I have no problem with anyone who says they won’t go.  I wouldn’t go there as a spectator, let alone as the centre of attention. The threat of terrorism isn’t even the worst of it.  A building could collapse on you,  you could end up with a mosquito borne disease, or you could just contract dysentry from the lack of sanitation that the village has.  The whole thing is a shambles.

      Reply

    • Andy D says:

      08:59am | 23/09/10

      KH, Your use of the phrase “In reality, there was no threat to anyones life” makes it seem like there was some sort of perceived or known threat at the Moscow Olympics that Australia bravely ignored, but the reason for the Moscow Olympics boycott was nothing to do with any threats or risks to athletes or officials, it was in protest to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

    • KH says:

      01:26pm | 23/09/10

      Andy - yes, I know that.  Perhaps I wasn’t clear - Moscow was a different circumstance - there was no threat to lives of athletes/officials as there is here.  It was still a brave decision to go, in spite of the rest of the western world.  Going to India this week would be bravery on a whole different level….......I wouldn’t blame them if they didn’t.  Standing up to some political issue that has little to do with you is one thing, but making yourself a target is something else.

    • Alf says:

      01:29pm | 23/09/10

      Australia did compete not under the banner of Australia’s flag, but under the Australia Olympic Flag. The government still pressured australian athletes to boycott the event. Hence, Australia technically hasn’t competed in every Olympics officially.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_at_the_1980_Summer_Olympics

    • Hermano says:

      02:27pm | 23/09/10

      Alf: if you must be a pedant, then you would also acknowledge that the first two modern Olympic games happened before Australia even existed as a country, and also that our sole participant in 1896 was Edwin Flack, who was born in England.
      Let’s bend the rules a little shall we?  It’s fun to say we’ve had athletes at every games, let’s run with the fantasy.

    • Andy D says:

      02:38pm | 23/09/10

      KH, if you knew that there was no threat to the lives of athletes why did you use a phrase that clearly and specifically implied there was a perception in 1980 that attending the Olympics was a threat to people’s lives? Or are you just backpedaling now that you have had a chance to refresh your memory of the event?

      I don’t think there was any bravery in the actions of Australians attending the 1980 Olympics, the bravery was shown by those who chose to put aside their sporting goals and stand up for what they thought was right by not attending. That’s not to say the people who went were cowards or bad people, they were just going to the Olympics, and ignoring any political issues, that took no bravery, just an ability to ignore the politics and focus on the sport.

      What about sports people who chose to ignore bans on competing in South Africa under Apartheid? Was it brave of them to ‘stand up to some political issue that had nothing to do with them’?

    • BK says:

      08:28am | 23/09/10

      This is the first and last time we will hear about Dani.

      Reply

    • Glen says:

      09:19am | 23/09/10

      Missed the Worls Champs did we?

    • Glen says:

      09:20am | 23/09/10

      Missed the World Champs did we?

    • Markus says:

      09:39am | 23/09/10

      Which is a shame, considering she is the youngest ever world title winner in the sport, and based on form would appear to have a very successful career ahead of her.

    • iansand says:

      09:44am | 23/09/10

      We tend to ignore world champions in this country.

    • bigmuzz says:

      10:11am | 23/09/10

      you’re kidding, right? she is number 1 in the world, a shoo-in for a medal…

    • Gavin Hodge says:

      11:00am | 23/09/10

      Olympics in 2 years.

    • Reg says:

      08:37am | 23/09/10

      Hard to tell but my guess is the risk is about the same as driving in Sydney traffic.  Still I’d hate to be proved wrong so, as with jumping out of a plane without a parachute into a snow drift, I wouldn’t be going there. Come to think of it, no way I’d jump WITH a parachute unless the army forced me. But those for whom the drug of risk is needing a bigger dose could find India invigorating and a great way to lose weight.

      Reply

    • Hermano says:

      09:52am | 23/09/10

      Valid point re: Sydney traffic.  I feel safer on my bike than in a car these days.
      No way I’d be going to Delhi at the moment either.  It’s all reminiscent of the Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv when a footbridge collapsed, killing a bunch of people and leaving many more debilitated from landing in toxic waste water.  That was a result of corruption and shoddy construction, and I fear the Delhi debacle comes from the same source.
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maccabiah_bridge_collapse

    • Robz says:

      09:51am | 23/09/10

      Even putting aside the threats of terrorism (though in no way down-playing the seriousness of these threats), India is simply not ready to host the Games.  Many of the venues are not completely finished, none of them have held test events.  The company that built the collapsed bridge also built the netball and cycling venues - heavens knows what might happen there during competition. The track in the athletics stadium is sinking in several places (they are trying patch up jobs to cover this).  The athletes villiage is inhabitable. We should not be sending athletes into such conditions to compete. The Australian and other federal governments involved, not to mention the International Commonwealth Games Committee need to get over the Politically Correctness and withdraw their teams and cancel the game altogether. If this offends India, then so be it - “offense is taken not given”.  The Indian authorities should themselves be able to see that they have failed to be ready to host the Games.

      Reply

    • Peter says:

      07:58pm | 23/09/10

      Spot on Rob. It’s the countries India invited as guests who should be offended. Since when does a host say “come and stay at my place” and show you to the spare bedroom with the words: “Don’t mind the dog hair, fleas, lack of load bearing structures and excrement. We don’t.”
      Genuine Indians will be ashamed of their government over this farce and given the world’s largest democracy has a large and growing middle class I am optimistic they’ll pressure the government too make examples of the corrupt and incompetent officials responsible.

    • Phil says:

      10:06am | 23/09/10

      In a country where over half of the population still craps in buckets as toilets are a luxury item im sure the $3.4b could have been much better spent on the people in that country, i wouldnt be going to watch it and would understand anyone who didnt want to attend (athletes) its not worth the risk.

      The buildings are being slapped together with random workers, including teenage kids!

      Lets face it, its still a third world country and cant compete on the world stage for such an event at this time. No point trying to make it something it isnt!!

      Reply

    • David says:

      10:15am | 23/09/10

      Having been a long time reader of the Times of India, they have more journalistic integrity than any of our mainstream newspapers or websites.

      Their journalists don’t pull punches and actually ask difficult questions on every topic they’re covering, especially during election campaigns. It’s a stunning contrast to the partisan commentating we’ve become accustomed to having labelled as “news” in Australia.

      Having said that, there is no way anyone can ignore the idea that athletes’ lives may be in danger if they do attend, probably more from the incredibly shonky infrastructure and environmental factors than from terrorism. But the same could be said for travelling to many parts of the globe to compete in any large sporting event nowadays.

      Having people jump on the “be afraid” bandwagon certainly isn’t going to help any of these athletes make up their minds. If the athletes are not sure, they can still fly over, get a feel for the facilities and the tone of the environment, and THEN make a decision on whether or not they are going to compete.

      Reply

    • Kevin says:

      10:38am | 23/09/10

      Leaving the decision whether to go or not to the athletes presents many of them with a serious dilemma.  The general mediocrity of the Commonwealth Games presents an opportunity for second rate competitors to become “gold medallists”.  They can then ride a brief wave of fame, with the accompanying endorsements, until the unrealistic hopes of the nation are dashed at the subsequent Olympics where they have to compete against a genuine world class field.

      Reply

    • Gavin Hodge says:

      11:05am | 23/09/10

      Kevin, even so, there is no other option. Athletes cannot be forced to go if they don’t wish to, no matter if Government security people say it’s fine or not.

    • nic says:

      10:52am | 23/09/10

      Well written Penbo, well said.

      Reply

    • Joolz says:

      12:20pm | 23/09/10

      This is all well and good, but a story we should comsider is that of Tracey Wickham.

      Fraser asked the Australian team to boycott the Moscow games in1980 and people like Tracey did as asked. This woman never reached her fullest potential and I think carries a bit of anger about that still.

      Let them make their own minds up. But for pete’s sake give them honest information about the situation there. Arbib was on the radio parroting a mild rravel warning from DFAT but then admitting there had been warnings of terror attacks.

      Reply

    • Mike T says:

      12:32pm | 23/09/10

      I have no problems with athletes or nations pulling out of the games (in hindsight it should never have been given to India), however,  is it really fair to do it so close to the kick off??? the amount of money and effort invetsed by so many only for people to turn around right at the last minute and pull out. I could understand if the issues in India had just come to light or a massive terrosist attack had just occured. BUT, the issues occuring in India have been thier for all to see for many months and dosent appear to be any better or worse at present..


      Anyway just my two cents….

      Reply

    • Gregg says:

      02:27pm | 23/09/10

      Mumbai wasn’t all that long ago Mike and it was done so easily.
      OK, New Delhi is a lot further inland, perhaps in a more stable safer part of the country but with their population,it’s probably a nightmare keeping track of their own crims and they do have some pretty violent states.
      The attack on the tourist bus just recently focused on what is possible.
      And in other ways if they’re not ready for the kickoff, the Games could be such a shambles it may be hard for their reputation to be maintained.

    • KH says:

      03:26pm | 23/09/10

      Recent events - Athens, South Africa world cup - showed countries who just weeks prior to the event didn’t appear to be ‘ready’, then pulled it out when it counted.  Everyone has been giving Delhi that chance, however, with bridges collapsing and rooves caving in just days before the opening, not to mention the terrorist threats, and really unflattering comments from inside India as well as from other countries like New Zealand, it is still fair to pull out.  They were given as much time as possible - its no less than others have gotten.  Its just that very few people still think some kind of miracle will occur in the next week, given the events of the last couple of days.

    • Gordo says:

      01:47pm | 23/09/10

      She appears to be a very reasoned, intelligent young woman. It takes more guts to speak out and act on your judgement than to go along with the pack.  Good luck to her.

      Reply

    • Catching up says:

      02:11pm | 23/09/10

      And some in this country thinks it is a safe and a good idea to sell them uraniun.

      Reply

    • SKD says:

      03:00pm | 23/09/10

      David Penberthy -  I am not surprised by whatever you have said. You haven’t once mentioned that the Indian Press is on the fore front of criticizing CWG.

      Anyway, death could come to you in any shape or form. Be it a Qantas plunging from mid air, driving on one of the freeways or swearing at someone at Kings Cross.

      To all the athletes around the world, come if you wish otherwise Indians will be very happy with no competition. For a change, we will top the medals tally.

      Yes, India is corrupt, populated,chaotic, polluted, hungry, and terrorized. Even with all these issues, people will be waiting for you with a garland, and a smile hosting a world class event. That is the bottom line.

      Reply

    • Roosters Fan says:

      03:54pm | 23/09/10

      @SKD, How many tries are you going to score against the Titans tomorrow night?

    • Liberal Voter says:

      03:48pm | 23/09/10

      The fact of the matter is, the infrastructure which the Indian government has provided is severely sub-standard.  There have been reports of cutting corners in construction, bribery, fake safety certifications and evidence that they have been getting children to do manual labour.  I hope the games get scrapped and the Indian government will have to deal with the fact that it poured billions of ruppees down the drain.  That will teach it a valuable lesson - Don’t cut corners, don’t allow corruption and ignore safety standards, don’t volunteer to host an event if you are incapable of hosting it, and don’t waste ridiculous amounts of money when you have masses of poor, starving people to feed.  Putting the games on hold for 1 or 2 years will not make a difference, they’ve had 7 years to prepare for these games.  India as a nation is incapable of doing this, and we should have seen this coming a long time ago.  The fact that they think they as a nation can rival china is pretty damn hilarious.

      Reply

    • Adam says:

      03:49pm | 23/09/10

      “On The Times of India website readers have been arguing that it is more dangerous for Indian students to live in Melbourne than it would be for Australian athletes to compete in Delhi. “

      Hey, so far as we know this is true! You cannot defend the disgraceful acts of violence that occurred in Melbourne as Brumby et al snoozed while their golden goose was beaten down by thugs.

      Reply

    • Shiralee Green says:

      04:08pm | 23/09/10

      I feel for the average Indian person. It must be hard on them knowing that people are scared to come to their beautiful country because of terroists and idiot people locked up intheir airconditioned corner offices.

      Reply

    • Sam says:

      05:02pm | 23/09/10

      BTW Ricky Ponting and co are here to play test matches. May be cricketers are better informed of the risks

      Reply

    • Peter says:

      08:11pm | 23/09/10

      @Sam. Mate the Australian Test Cricket team stays in India’s best hotels which are world standard. No “fur of cur” pillow cases or house maids lugging pooper scoopers.
      Security for the Aussie cricketers is also superior. They are after all the Australian Test cricket team. India loves them. And cricket is to India what AFL is to Melbourne. You just can’t compare.

    • TracyS says:

      01:01pm | 24/09/10

      Considering the combined risk of injury from infrastructure failure, injury from terrorist attack (there is some risk even if how much is still being debated), and disease (possible dysentery, and nobody has mentioned the Dengue risk yet), it is entirely reasonable for athletes to decide that the risk is too high. Why should an athlete risk their physical wellbeing, and possibly their ability to compete at higher ranked (truly international) competitions in order to compete in the Commonwealth Games?

      Reply

    • Geni says:

      07:37pm | 07/02/12

      Then add in a layer for Medicare, and one for Medicaid BEFORE the Bush gaiwaevys to pharma, as well as afterward.

      Reply
 
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