500 days to go until 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games

And double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, who was this week announced as President of Commonwealth Games England, is convinced next year's Delhi experience will be the perfect stepping-stone for Team GB success at London 2012.
A number of England's successful 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games medallists excelled in the Far East at last summer's Beijing Olympics - and Holmes is predicting a similar success-rate from Delhi to London.
"The Commonwealth Games have a continuing and important role within performance sport.
"They are unique in their own right and offer athletes the opportunity to experience a big, multi-sport event but they can also play a crucial role as a stepping stone towards Olympic success.
"That certainly was the case for me," said Holmes, who won Commonwealth Games gold in Victoria in 1994 and Manchester in 2002.
Among the Team England athletes to go on and achieve Olympic success in Beijing were boxer James DeGale, who fought his way to bronze at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, before landing gold at last year's Olympics.
Gymnast Louis Smith won gold on the pommel horse in Melbourne before becoming the first Briton to win an individual Olympic gymnastics medal for 100 years in Beijing.
While cyclist Victoria Pendleton won gold and silver medals at Melbourne and went on to strike gold for Team GB at the Beijing Olympics.
Sir Andrew Foster, Chair of Commonwealth Games England, said "We're well into our planning for Delhi and we're looking forward to another strong performance by Team England across all sports in 2010.
"Team England athletes have a tremendous track record at the Commonwealth Games and the Games have proved a fantastic platform for young English athletes in the lead up to the Olympics.
"I'm sure Delhi will play a key role in the build-up to London 2012 and we're confident Delhi will deliver wonderful Games," he added.
The Opening Ceremony of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games takes place on 3rd October 2010 and will be followed by 14 thrilling days of action across 17 sports.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games will feature - aquatics (swimming, diving and synchronised swimming), archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, rugby 7s, shooting, squash, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.