Oz athletes denied chance to interact with media at Delhi airport

Published>Tue, Sep 28 10 12:28 PM

New Delhi, Sep 28(ANI): Australia's gymnastics team for the Delhi Commonwealth Games was reportedly denied a chance to speak to the media after touching down at the Indira Gandhi airport late on Monday.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, local and Australian media person were told by police shortly before the arrival of the team that they would not be allowed to question the athletes.

"You will not speak to them, you will never speak to them," the newspaper quoted a police official, as saying.

Despite the protests from Australian officials, the gymnasts were ordered straight to their waiting bus, and were allowed only to wave and smile at the cameras.

It came despite journalists having arranged the interview, and having earlier spoken to members of Australia's bowls team at the same location on Monday morning.

The gymnasts were the second of a host of Australian squads due to arrive in the coming days.

Australia has topped the gold and total medal tallies at the past five Commonwealths, and is expected to once again be the number one nation.

Swimming, track and field, field hockey and cycling are generally prolific medal-yielding sports for Australia, while the nation has high expectations in gymnastics, diving, netball, tennis and boxing. (ANI)

Source: Web Search