Finishing touches are being put in place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as the athletics section of the Delhi Commonwealth Games prepares to get underway.

Labourers are once again working right up until the deadline, with overnight work to resurface the damaged running track and replace the grass on bare parts of the in-field ensuring the venue is prepared.

Fears the stadium would not be ready – following reported damage during the opening ceremony on Sunday – have also been allayed, with Games Federation president Mike Fennell reassuring reporters work had been “completed”.

“It was all done, checked this morning by the technical delegate and he has informed us that all systems are go,” he added.

“Unfortunately when you have a ceremony on the same site as the athletics facilities you can have some damage to the facilities. The protective measures that you take do not guarantee that there is no damage.”

Among the events scheduled to take place later today are the early heats of the men’s 100 metres and the women’s 400 metres, as well as shot and hammer competitions.

Australian team members pose after winning the gold in the gymnastics women’s team final event

Medal Haul

A total of 29 gold medals have already been awarded, with Australia leading the way with ten victories. India follow close behind with six, while England are in a respectable third with three.

Among the most exciting events yesterday was the women’s artistic gymnastics, where the Australian team of Ashleigh Brennan and Lauren Mitchell scored 163.700 to clinch the gold medal at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.

A further 28 medals will be on up for grabs on Wednesday, with weightlifting, wrestling, aquatics, shooting, gymnastics and cycling all taking place alongside the unfolding events in the athletics arena.

World Travel Awards

With the successful games now underway, India is turning its attention to the next event in the international calendar, with the World Travel Awards arriving in Delhi later this month.

Taking place at The Claridges Surajkund on October 14th, the Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony will welcome the elite of the global tourism industry for what many consider to be the most important night of the year.