Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Friday unveiled the victory medallions for the Commonwealth Games and hoped that Indian athletes would lay their hands on most of them during the October 3-14 multi-sporting event in New Delhi.
"I hope that majority of these wonderful medals would be bagged by the Indian athletes during the Games. I think our athletes may get up to 70 medals this year," Kalmadi said after unveiling the medals.
"Prime Minister has given Rs 700 crore for training of athletes and I am very confident that will reflect in India's medal tally," said Kalmadi.
The 1408 medals - 272 gold, as many silver and 282 bronze - at a cost of Rs 81,08,566 have been made by the government of India mint in Kolkata and the design has been approved by the Commonwealth Games Federation.
The mint was entrusted with the design, development and manufacture of the medals, for which initially four designs were recommended.
The front of the medal has the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi logo and the dates, while the reverse side bears emblem of the CGF.
The lanyard of the medals carry all the six Games colours - pink, purple, green, red, yellow and blue - blending into each other.
The cost of production of each gold medal was Rs 5,539, while every silver and bronze medal would be procured for Rs 4,818 and Rs 4,529 respectively, said OC Secretary General Lalit Bhanot, who was also present. Every medal is six millimeter thick with a diameter of 63.5 millimeter.
The signature element's starting fin is raised by one millimeter and it rises up to three millimeter on the last fin. The embossed logo and date is raised by a millimeter. Manufacture of the medals was in full swing.
Kalmadi informed that the first hearing on the suspension of M Jaychandran, who was the OC Joint Director General (Accounts and Finance) at the time Queen's Baton Relay in October last year, was held today at OC headquarters here.
"Yes, the first hearing of Mr Jaychandran took place today. But the result would not be known so soon, the process would take some time," said Kalmadi, also the President of the Indian Olympic Association.
Jaychandran was among the three tainted high-ranked officers suspended by the OC's all-powerful Executive Board on Friday following allegations of financial irregularities during the QBR in London.
Meanwhile, Bhanot said that the OC has already taken over 11 venues and hoped most of the stadiums would be under their control by the weekend.
"So far we have taken over 11 stadiums under some terms and conditions. I hope we would get most of the stadiums by the weekend," Bhanot said.
Kalmadi reiterated that all the venues of the Games would be world-class.
"I am sure that all the venues would be in good condition. If there is any problem in any section of the venues, we will send a written notice to those who are responsible for the construction," said Kalmadi.
"I assure you all that all the clearances will be taken and the venues would be tip-top during the Games," he added.
