[Leica] Commonwealth Games

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca)]

TO:
Geoff Hopkinson & Jayanand Govindaraj
And the "Leica Users Group"

Commonwealth Games:

First of all Jayanand I have no problem with India as the Commonwealth Games 
were great for the athletes, the country and the Commonwealth as it stands. 
It came off beautifully and that's all that matters!

Most on this list have no idea what the Commonwealth Games are, nor 
represent to the athletes and countries of the Commonwealth. Probably a big 
learning for many, that the Commonwealth is the result of the old British 
Empire as it was once known, however now it's a Commonwealth of individual 
Nations.

In any event it's too bad India took such hard ass hits pre-game by so many 
media outlets. But let's be honest, what television showed of not being 
ready and some of the conditions that appeared? There wasn't a hope in hell 
it would happen! It's truly amazing it worked.

Bottom-line still is! Who cares??? It's all over and everything went as well 
as it did. India can be proud, the people can be proud and all in all the 
athletes returned home with smiles on their faces as it should be, 
regardless of pre-opening news coverage.

India would not have been hit as hard as they were "if the situation were 
well in hand" and everything ready for the athletes and opening ceremonies. 
Sure any number of other things that caused annoyance and frustrations... 
"no cameras in venues is beyond my wildest imagination!" This is one thing I 
can't imagine happening. Sheer stupidity without question!

BUT!  In Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics, Spain. If you as an accredited 
photographer were carrying film and went to enter the MPC (Main Press 
Centre) or any venue.... your film went through the scanner.... LIKE IT OR 
NOT!  WHY?

Well just before those games, Interpol in Europe discovered some bad guys 
had been taking film out of the canisters and packing them with an 
explosive! I bet you guys didn't know that one? ERGO? Tighter security 
beyond perceived stupidity!

So some photographers, the over sensitive techie types were constantly in 
arguments with daily scrum meetings at the MPC about film routine because it 
was going through the scanners &  destroying their images and ruining their 
film.   Bull s....t ! HOWEVER! :-)

There were some of us, particularly the Canadian crew I worked with, we just 
put our photo vests, film, lenses whatever into the scanner and hurried 
around to the other end of the scanner after passing through the metal 
detector to get it before the guard let it fall on the floor.

As they (the security force)  did with my Leica 400 2.8 on the first day! I 
bet you've never stood there and watched your 400mm 2.8 just fall off the 
conveyer belt to the floor despite you are yelling in English .. "GRAB IT, 
GRAB IT! "CRASH!" :-(

Anyway we're talking about Delhi!

They are over and quite frankly nobody gives a hoop about Delhi! WHY? Well 
it's the next games be they what and where they are? Game over, forget 
Delhi!

Trust me gentlemen that's how it works within the frame work of the 
Commonwealth Games, Olympics and any other international games event.

The lights of the closing ceremonies go out, and? Nobody thinks about these 
games ever again! WHY? The new games is what it's all about!

So ladies & gentlemen, just cool it and lets get on with our Friday morning 
Flowers! :-) And the next games whatever they maybe! :-)

cheers,
Dr. ted