He today condemned a “major communication blunder” following a farce that delayed the women’s 100m medal ceremony at the Nehru Stadium last night.

English runner Laura Turner was disqualified from the final for a false start, but Australian Sally Pearson (pictured) also appeared to jump the gun and she was seen putting her hands over her face in despair.

Turner and Pearson were then allowed to run under protest with the Australian emerging victorious in 11.28 seconds.

Pearson completed her victory lap and was set to collect her gold medal when she was told about her disqualification some three hours after crossing the line.

England had lodged an official complaint and the jury of appeal ruled that Pearson had also false started.

Pearson was stripped of her gold medal and Osayemi Oludamola from Nigeria, who had claimed silver in 11.32 seconds, was elevated to first place.

The episode was another huge embarrassment for the Organising Committee and one which has clearly angered Fennell.

“It was a major communication blunder,” said Fennell in a news conference that Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi failed to attend.

“The athletes were waiting and didn’t know there was a protest.

“We received complaints about how the athletes were held up before the medal ceremony.

“Treatment of the athletes is unsatisfactory and we are not happy with the way the protesting athletes were being handled.

“We have issued alerts to all people responsible for holding other sports that such incidents should not happen in future and such protests should be handled properly.”

Fennell had further problems to fend off as it emerged that the scoreboard at the Rugby Sevens venue collapsed last night.

Fennell admitted he is currently trying to ascertain why the incident happened, though there have been suggestions it was installed in too much of a hurry with preparations for the event running well behind schedule.

“We should not jump to conclusions without proper understanding of facts,” he said

“We are trying to know how it happened but it has been fixed.”

Regarding the glitches with the Games Information System that has left journalists from around the world struggling to keep up with the latest results Fennell promised all the problems would be rectified by the end of today.

“It is so central to the smooth conduct of the Games,” he said.

“This problem should have been rectified earlier.

“All the people worked the whole night but the problem has not been resolved up to this morning.

“The concerned people said it will be OK by this afternoon or tonight.”

Fennell added that the glitches with the information system may never have occurred if the stadiums had been built on time so that test events could be conducted.

He said: “I don’t want to argue that if the stadiums had been delivered to the Organising Committee earlier, it would have been better.

“There is no question about that.”

The President added he remains hopeful that television helicopters will get approval to fly over the restricted no-fly zones in Delhi - which rest over the heart of national capital that houses Parliament House and the Prime Minister’s residence - so that they can film coverage of road cycling and the marathon.

Fennell admitted he is very optimistic this will be granted but stated it “should have been done before” by the Organising Committee and that he has “no Plan B” if permission is denied.

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