First batch of English athletes arrives; heads to hotels.
In a boost to India’s crisis-hit Commonwealth Games, sporting powerhouses Australia and New Zealand today confirmed participation. The first batch of athletes from England landed in Delhi as worried organisers raced against time to complete preparations.
As the sun broke out after a prolonged rainy spell, things began to finally look up for the beleaguered organisers with their international bosses expressing satisfaction with the remedial works, virtually paving the decks for the arrival of more contingents in the next few days.
After days of indecision, Australia and New Zealand confirmed their presence for the October 3 to 14 event, and also gave a thumbs up to the Athletes’ Village, which they had dubbed “filthy and uninhabitable” just a couple of days ago.
Their confirmation followed Michael Fennell’s inspection of the Village this morning during which the Commonwealth Games Federation chief took stock of the athletes’ living area accompanied by Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and secretary general Randhir Singh.
But there was no stopping the individual pullouts that have dogged the Games with Welsh world and Olympic champion cyclist Geraint Thomas, Isle of Man rider Peter Kennaugh and the England pair of Ben Swift and Ian Stannard, along with Kiwi Greg rider Henderson announcing their withdrawal citing health and security fears.
Amid the pullouts, the first batch of English athletes, including their hockey and lawn bowling squad, landed in Delhi but headed to hotels instead of the Village as their living area is yet to be ready. They are expected to move into the Village by Monday.
A few Australian athletes have, however, checked into the Village despite previous concerns about hygiene.
After postponing their original travel plans, the first batch of Scottish athletes will board the flight to Delhi tomorrow. The first contingent will comprise archery, lawn bowls, shooting, tennis and weightlifting teams.
Earlier this morning, Fennell carried out his inspection after being told by his staff that “considerable improvements” have been made at the Village even as embattled organisers continued their sprint against time to complete preparations.
“It is good to be in Delhi, and the briefing I received from my CEO, Mike Hooper, last night, was that considerable improvements have been made within the Village, with further significant resources deployed by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, to make good what was a concerning situation,” Fennell said in a statement.
The Commonwealth Games Federation boss, who was unimpressed with the pace of the work and had even shot off a letter to the Cabinet Secretary a few days ago, also briefed the visiting international delegates about the work.
