By Tom Degun in New Delhi

October 11 – Mike Hooper, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), says he is not a "scapegoat" for the problems that have clouded the Delhi 2010 event.


The New Zealander said: "I think other people may have their own interpretations of me but the bottom line is that I stand by the work I’ve done.

"I’m pleased with the quality of my work and I’m really happy."

Reports in the local media here alleged Hooper, who has been stationed in Delhi for the last three years to check how the organisation was progressing, lived the high life during his stay.

He was afforded a number of luxuries from the Organising Committee on Indian taxpayers’ money, which reportedly included six domestic staff dedicated only to him.

Following major problems in the build-up - such as concerns over health and security, a severe lack of cleanliness in the Athletes’ Village and the collapse of a bridge outside the main stadium - the CGF chief executive even faced a verbal attack from his fellow New Zealanders.

Sports Minister Murray McCully said Hooper could not simply distance himself from the problems, claiming: "There’s going to be a sharing of responsibility."

Meanwhile, Barry Minister, secretary general of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, and Mike Stanley, President, also blamed Hooper for the catastrophic events leading up to Delhi.

There were shocking scenes in the streets shortly before the Games got under way, when members of the Hindu protest group Rashtrawadi Sena burned an effigy while chanting "Hooper go home".

They also held up signs accusing the New Zealander of being a racist and of insulting the nation.

Hooper said he does not want to dwell on events that happened in the build-up and is instead focused on the future and making the Games a success in the last week of competition.

He said: "I look forward at events in the future and how to improve them.

"It’s never a good thing living in the past.".

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