For many athletes, security concerns are more important than facilities Pressure is growing on India to deal urgently with problems concerning its hosting of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, amid increasing criticism and concerns over hygiene and security.
Commonwealth Games Canada’s president told the BBC that Indian officials had been “indifferent bordering on intransigent” in tackling the issues.
New Zealand has now delayed the arrival of its athletes for the event.
India insists next month’s Games will be one of the most successful.
Several participating countries have delegates in the capital urgently checking the facilities at the athletes’ village and the arrangements for security.
The president of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC), Mike Stanley, said the arrival of its athletes should be delayed until at least 28 September because of problems with accommodation and other issues. The Games start on 3 October.
Mr Stanley said: “It’s tremendously disappointing. The long list of outstanding issues has made it clear the village will now not be ready for New Zealand athletes to move in as planned.”
New Zealand’s Dominion Post newspaper reported that the country was looking at using Singapore as a “holding pen” for its athletes if conditions in Delhi did not improve.
The chief executive of Swimming New Zealand, Mike Byrne, told the BBC that two New Zealand officials were in Delhi and would report later on Thursday about the situation.
India’s foreign minister SM Krishna: “I think we will be able to deliver”
He said he was trying to remain optimistic, but added: “If the unthinkable happens and the Games are cancelled, one of the things we need to look at is if there is another competition we can take part in.”
Although Australia’s Games chief said the issue of abandoning the event had not been discussed, Sports Minister Mark Arbib said that the current policy of leaving the decision on whether to attend to the athletes “could change”.
The BBC’s Nick Bryant in Sydney says Australia’s concerns are more with security than the facilities, and that there remains a strong commitment to attend.
“We remain very concerned about the situation and we will monitor it on an absolutely regular day-by-day basis”
Sir Andrew Foster Commonwealth Games England
Australia’s world champion discus thrower Dani Samuels is one of the athletes who has pulled out.
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) president Andrew Pipe said he was “cautiously optimistic” progress was being made.
But he added: “It’s incomprehensible that Indian officials have been so indifferent in preparing these facilities, bordering on the intransigent, and that is unacceptable to us.”
Singapore’s Games chief executive said he was in Delhi to monitor the situation and that the time was “critical”.
Sir Andrew Foster, chairman of Commonwealth Games England, said the Games were on a “knife-edge”.
“We remain very concerned about the situation and we will monitor it on an absolutely regular day-by-day basis.”
The team remained “intent on going”, he added, but “all options remain open”.
Scotland has delayed its departure over the accommodation.
Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell is due to arrive in Delhi on Thursday for a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the problems the event.
On Wednesday, Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna told the BBC that the Games would meet international standards.
Send us your pictures of the Commonwealth Games village Commonwealth Games: Indian reaction Delhi learns downside of hosting
Mr Krishna said a prolonged monsoon had hampered preparations, but offered reassurance that security would be provided for every athlete and stadium.
“We will see to it that the Commonwealth Games are conducted according to international standards, and the athletes who come to participate in these Games will feel quite happy about their conditions.
“We will be able to deliver on the Commonwealth Games and it will be one of the most successful Games that the Commonwealth will have undertaken.”
When it came to the safety of those taking part, no compromises would be made, Mr Krishna added.
The event has been plagued by construction delays, allegations of corruption and a dengue fever outbreak in the Indian capital.
On Tuesday, a footbridge under construction collapsed near the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – the main Games venue – injuring 27 workers. On Wednesday, a section of ceiling caved in at the weightlifting venue.
The state of the athletes’ village has come in for criticism, with complaints of flooding, rooms soiled by excrement and stray dogs sleeping on some beds.
And security fears were heightened at the weekend when two tourists were wounded by gunmen on a motorbike near the Jama Masjid mosque.
Ticket sales have been disappointing and the cost of hosting the largest sporting event in the country’s history has soared, making it the most expensive Games in history, with estimates ranging from $3bn to more than $10bn, as organisers attempt to complete work which only began in 2008.
Athletes’ village – Indian media reports only 18 of 34 towers are completedYamuna River – flooded in worst monsoon rain for 30 years, leaving pools attracting mosquitoesNehru Stadium – part of false ceiling collapsed in weightlifting areaBridge leading to the Nehru Stadium – collapsed on TuesdayJama Masjid Mosque – Two tourists injured in shooting near mosque, Indian Mujahideen threatens more attacksShivaji Stadium – no longer to be used as a venue because it was not going to be ready in timeYamuna Sports Complex – roof damaged by heavy rain in July
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