Stevie Roden column: Adlington will triumph at 'shambolic' Games – if her bus turns up

AFTER winning bronze in the 200m freestyle at the Commonwealth Games, Mansfield's Rebecca Adlington said it was totally unexpected.

After all, her double Olympic gold medals came in the 400m and 800m freestyle in Beijing.

In Delhi, it was the first time she had swum the shorter distance at a major event yet she managed to win a medal and in a personal best time.

But maybe the real reason it was unexpected was because Adlington was sceptical as to whether she would ever arrive at the Aquatics Centre in time.

They say it is all in the preparation. Yet, such is the chaos in India, it is becoming a farce.

Adlington revealed she had to get up at 4am to get to the pool in time for the heats, which took place some four hours later.

Such is the unpredictability of the bus network from the athletes' village, it appears you have to get to the bus stop and just hope one turns up. Oh, and then it is a 45-minute ride – one which took an hour on Monday because, according to the swimmer, the driver got lost. Then she had to do it all again for the final.

But such is the shambles these Games have become, it is just accepted. Forget ice baths, massages, walks, to get yourself in peak condition between competing...all Adlington's focus was on trying to get back on to the bus first, so she could put her feet up at the front. Unbelievable.

Delhi has lurched from one embarrassment to the next.

In the days running up to the event, the swimming pool was turned into a giant sauna when the air-conditioning was turned off. The reason – the operator was getting his own back after not being given his breakfast.

In the weeks leading up to the Games, there was turmoil with the athletes village not ready, a bridge collapsing outside the stadium and a ceiling falling in. And there has already been one confirmed case of dengue fever.

But, rather than the Games getting all positive attention, now it is under way, even more bizarre stories are emerging.

The England netball team caught the bus to training the other day – only to be dropped off at the hockey stadium by mistake.

Then it appeared too many boxers had not looked after themselves in the weeks running up to Delhi, as an alarming number failed to make the weight. In the end, it transpired the scales were faulty.

It is one calamity to the next and it is clear Delhi was not the right choice for staging such a major event.

Melbourne ran smoothly four years ago, Manchester was a triumph in 2002.

Can you imagine such problems unfolding when the Olympics start in London in two years' time? Not a chance.

No doubt any little problem will be jumped on and blown out of proportion.

But in the end, it will be a spectacular event, in full, impressive stadiums. Hopefully, just like Beijing in 2008.

Yet in Delhi, when Adlington did take to the pool on day one in the 200m final, there were just 500 fans watching in an arena that should hold ten times that number.

Despite transport problems and dealing with adversity, Adlington has been the model professional, taking such hindrances in her stride.

After becoming a household name with her heroics in China, she has endured mixed fortunes at the Worlds and Euros that followed.

But after storming back from a disappointing seventh in the 800m in Budapest in August to win the 400m European gold, Adlington believes she now has the experience to handle the pressure.

The 21-year-old proved that with an unexpected medal in the 200m, now she has the 400m, 800m and 4x200m freestyle to go.

And, with her in tip-top physical shape and mentally ready, she can handle any situation in India to ensure she comes home to Nottinghamshire with a clutch of medals.

That's provided her bus turns up.