Scotland Delays Departure to Commonwealth Gam

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Team Scotland have delayed their departure to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games because of problems with the athletes' village.

Several countries have complained about the accommodation, with some claiming it is "unfit for human habitation".

Scotland still plan to take part in the Games but will decide on a day-by-day basis when to fly out.

The Games, which are due to run from 3-14 October, have been beset by concerns over security and facilities.

Scotland's first party of 41 athletes and staff in the sports of boxing, rugby sevens and wrestling were set to travel to India on Thursday.

However, Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Michael Cavanagh said that would no longer happen.

Cavanagh said Scotland remained "hugely committed" to the Games but believed urgent action was required and told the BBC: "The village is right now not fit to receive 6,500 athletes, which is due to happen within the next seven days.

"Part of the village is in a very poor condition and a very poor state of maintenance. There have been dogs roaming around the village, the apartments are filthy and there are piles of rubble lying around."

England were continuing to monitor the situation, with chairman Sir Andrew Foster admitted organisers faced "a critical 24 to 48 hours".

"Our staff have been round all 17 sports venues and they are in good order, so the key remaining feature which there's a problem with is the village. The other problems have been resolved," he told BBC Breakfast.

"It's a situation that hangs on a knife-edge."

Welsh officials said their plans for the Games remained unchanged and the majority of the team would travel to Delhi on Saturday despite claims that dogs were discovered on beds designated for their team.

Northern Ireland's first representatives were leaving for India on Tuesday and had organised alternative accommodation in case their scheduled quarters were not ready.

Scotland said the accommodation they were allocated on arrival was unfinished but claimed that they encountered problems even after being moved to a completed section.

Cavanagh added: "The accommodation we were moved into, which we cleaned ourselves, is in itself okay. It's not quite what we'd expect, but it is okay. The issue here is about the rest of the village.

"The accommodation which we were moved out of still has hardly been touched.

"By delaying the arrival of our athletes by a few days, we hope to give the Delhi 2010 organising committee the necessary time to address the concerns that have been raised by both the Commonwealth Games Federation and the countries which arrived early.

"We have discussed this with the sports involved and are in agreement that this is the best course of action under the circumstances."

Scotland's announcement is the latest in a long line of setbacks.

Safety fears were heightened after at least 23 people were injured as a pedestrian bridge collapsed near the event's main stadium on Tuesday.

And a host of the world's leading athletes have pulled out of the event, with English athletes Phillips Idowu, Christine Ohuruogu and Lisa Dobriskey the most recent withdrawals.

World triple jump champion Idowu said he had concerns over security preparations for the Games, whereas Ohuruogu and Dobriskey both had injury worries.

English hurdler Natasha Danvers, who will not be competing because of injury, admitted a number of athletes were worried about competing in Delhi.

"I think a lot of the athletes already out in the holding camp are afraid, and it's a legitimate feeling," she told BBC Breakfast.

"At this point you want to just be thinking about your performance, you don't want to be worrying if you're going to get sick or injured.

"I spoke to some colleagues this morning and they are worried about bombs, they are worried about being shot - it's just so bizarre to have to think about this at this point.

"Delhi has had since 2003 to prepare, that's how long they've known they would have these games, and 11 days out people have these concerns about it being uninhabitable and security's still not good enough."

Jamaica's champion Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt is the most high profile withdrawal, while Kenya's David Rudisha, who broke the 800m world record twice in August, will also not compete.

Australia's discuss world champion Dani Samules said on Monday she would not be travelling to Delhi, citing security and health concerns, and Australia sports minister Mark Arbib warned more could follow Samuels's lead.