Poonia criticises athletes for Games boycott

Discus champion Krishna Poonia criticised athletes who pulled out of the Commonwealth Games and said India had proved that it could host a successful event.

The Delhi Games was hit by a series of withdrawals by high-profile athletes who cited security and health worries after a chaotic build-up, which included the collapse of a bridge outside the main stadium.

"India has proved that it can host a big event. I want to thank everybody who made it possible," the 28-year old Poonia, the first Indian woman to win a Commonwealth athletics gold, told reporters.

"Security concerns are everywhere and India is a very big country. I did not like it when they blamed our country for withdrawing from the event.

"We also love our life. They would have been our guests and we would have taken more care of them than ourselves," Poonia added.

Some athletes, including Jamaica's world and Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt, pulled out because the Games were taking place too late in the year. But others such as Australian world discus champion Dani Samuels refused to travel to India due to security and health concerns.

Poonia ended India's 52-year wait for an athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games when she led the home nation to a clean sweep in the women's discus on Monday.

Poonia, who has a nine-year old son and is coached by her husband Virender, burst into tears as she described the sacrifices she had to make in her bid for glory.

"I had not seen my son for six months. Both I and my husband were away for training. It's very difficult to stay away from your kid as you all know," a sobbing Poonia said.

"I think all my pain has now gone away with this medal. My son had exams on Monday. He reached just in time for my event and later wore my gold medal on his neck. The pain was worth it," she added.