Athletes and visitors to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi now face yet another potentially-dangerous hazard to consider – snakes, adding to the already concerning threats of terrorism, shoddy construction, or dengue fever.
Amidst the dramatic buildup to the event set to begin in just six days, it was revealed on Monday that a full-grown cobra had to be removed from one of the venues for the Games – the RK Khanna Tennis Complex – late on Sunday afternoon.
This occurred only hours after a South African official reported a snake had also been discovered in a room designated for his country’s athletes at the Games village.
According to The Times of India, an animal rescue group was summoned to the tennis venue to capture and subsequently release the cobra back into its natural habitat.
It was noted that such occurrences of snakes and other animals appearing in unusual locations are not uncommon during the post-monsoon season, prompting calls for the organisers to swiftly implement an animal control strategy for the event.
Harris Mbulelo Mejeke, the South African high commissioner, expressed his discontent after a reptile was found in his country’s section of the village.
“It posed a threat to the lives of our athletes,” he remarked.
“Very disappointing. I cannot determine if it was an Indian snake, but it was present in one of our rooms.” This criticism comes amid rising concerns from various countries regarding the conditions of the athletes’ village.
In contrast, Australian officials maintain a positive outlook regarding the accommodations, having spent time cleaning and sealing the rooms themselves. Australian chef de mission Steve Moneghetti even managed to find humor in the latest incident on Monday.
“We hail from a nation that has the most venomous snakes globally, so if any country is equipped to handle this, it’s probably us,” Moneghetti commented to reporters.
“Perhaps we even brought a couple ourselves… It’s merely a cobra.
“… It’s beyond our control, and I am confident that such occurrences won’t deter the athletes.
“It would be concerning if it were on the training track; however, I doubt that will happen.”
Approximately 50 Australian athletes, including members of the lawn bowls, gymnastics, and netball teams, arrived in Delhi on Monday and were prepared to move directly into the village.
Buford Balony says: If I were in India, I would hunt all those snakes & eat them, then craft boots & hats out of them!
