Field Hockey Canada and Commonwealth Games Canada today announced the 32 athletes who will represent Canada at the XIXth Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India this October. The field hockey competition is traditionally strong at the Commonwealth Games. Seven of the ten men's teams that qualified for Delhi also competed at this year's World Cup, while five of the women's teams will be competing at the World Cup in Argentina in early September.

The Canadian men's team, which has climbed into the top ten in the recently released world rankings, will be led by two-time Olympians Ken Pereira (Unionville, ON) and Rob Short (Tsawwassen, BC), both of whom are heading into their fourth Commonwealth Games. The two veterans, playing professionally on the same club team in Holland, have also represented Canada in four Pan American Games, and will be heading back to India six months after the World Cup in Delhi.

Wallabies winger Lachie Turner will head Australia's charge for Rugby Sevens gold in Delhi after winning selection in coach Michael O'Connor's 12-man Commonwealth Games team. Turner, who has some previous experience in the shortened version of the game, joins Super 14 Rookie of the Year Pat McCabe, Western Force winger Nick Cummins and Wallabies 2009 spring tourist Luke Morahan as four fresh faces in the Games team among seasoned Sevens campaigners who competed during the recent IRB Sevens World Series.

Australia recorded their best result in over eight years on the world circuit after finishing third and are expected to turn in an even better performance in Delhi on 11-12 October following the inclusion of the experienced quartet.

The squad has a chance to create history if they can finish with gold or silver as Australia has not medaled at the Commonwealth Games since securing bronze in 1998 when Rugby Sevens was first granted entry in Kuala Lumpur. Coach O'Connor has opted for a mix of big game experience and proven combinations,naming three members of the London Sevens-winning team in Bernard Foley, Nicholas Phipps and James Stannard.

Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman, Organising Committee Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010, today addressed the OC staff and volunteers here at OC headquarters.

Mr. Kalmadi praised everyone for the great job they were doing and thanked them for their continued support despite the recent negative media reports. He urged all members not to lose focus and reiterated "We are on the threshold of making history" and "We will come out winners." He stressed that the world would take note of India once the Delhi 2010 Games began on October 3.

"The clock is ticking and there are 29 days to go for the Games Village to open and 47 days for the Games to begin," Mr. Kalmadi said.

Elena Baltacha, the Scottish tennis player was named the Clydesdale Bank athlete of the month for July, along with swimmer David Carry. However, this isn't the only reason for her to celebrate. This weekend, she was also named as a member of Scotland's team to the Commonwealth Games 2010.

After giving her career's best Grand Slam performance at this year's Australian Open, she followed it up with a couple of ITF Tour titles. In good form on the American hard court circuit, Elena hopes to win medals for her team in Delhi.

Elena received £500 towards her training and competition costs after being given the Clydesdale Bank Athlete of the Month Award. The scheme, run by Commonwealth Games Scotland in conjunction with Clydesdale Bank, is open to athletes in any of the 17 participating sports who are eligible to represent Scotland at this year's Games.