Games outlook improving in Delhi

Delhi Commonwealth Games logo
12 April 2012

The steady drip of individual athletes pulling out of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi continued on Friday despite positive signs that organisers are getting to grips with the chaos that has plagued the last-minute preparations.

England's Russell Downing and Greg Henderson of New Zealand are the latest road cyclists to withdraw following four of their Team Sky colleagues on Thursday.

Their withdrawal contrasted with the Scotland team announcing their first athletes would fly out on Saturday, England officials welcoming their first team members to the Indian capital and the Northern Irish team confirming their presence at the games. Any threat to the Games actually taking place has now disappeared.

However, Henderson said: "There are just too many risks and in this situation the cons outweigh the pros. It's about my family. I've got to think about my wife and little girl Charlie, and they don't want me going to the Commonwealth Games."

England's 16-strong men's hockey squad and lawn bowlers moved into hotel-based accommodation on Friday ahead of moving into the village, which still needs much to be done in terms of cleaning and maintenance work, according to England chef de mission Craig Hunter.

"It was a boost to see the early group of athletes arrive (on Friday) and on schedule," said Hunter.

"In the village, the level of activity continues to pick up and we are in a phase of looking at the detail, making sure that fire and safety equipment and procedures are in place and that the apartments are clean and safe. Our next wave of athletes arrives Sunday and a lot still needs to happen before then. So more and swift action is required."

Scotland team chiefs said their athletes will fly out on Saturday as planned, and Michael Cavanagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: "There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead in Delhi, but we are confident that these can be effectively managed by our team management, who have done a fantastic job over the last week to ensure we could get to this position."

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell, who arrived in Delhi on Thursday, said "considerable improvements" had been made to the facilities.

New Zealand officials have also confirmed their team will compete, and Australia are preparing to receive their athletes in the village.

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