Embarrassed by construction delays and missed deadlines, Commonwealth Games organisers came under more pressure on Wednesday with England and Wales setting a 24-hour deadline to sort out the mess while Scotland delayed its arrival for the event. With more participating countries expressing concern over Delhi's preparedness for the October 3-14 mega event, which has generated negative publicity, the collapse of a false ceiling at the weightlifting arena near the showpiece Nehru stadium only compounded the misery for the embattled organisers.
The deadline by England and Wales came on the eve of Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell's stock-taking visit to Delhi.
England admitted that its participation is “on a knife-edge” while Scotland athletes delayed their departure to Delhi and Wales also set a deadline of Thursday evening for the organisers to certify that all venues and Games Village are safe and secured.
In the wake of the shoddy preparations, Commonwealth Games England chairman Sir Andrew Foster admitted that they would have to make a quick decision — within 24 to 48 hours — on whether to take part in the Games.
“I think the next 24 to 48 hours is the critical time which will tell us whether the Village — which is where the main problem is now — has got enough accommodation for everybody to come into it. I think we're at an absolutely vital time [regarding] whether the major teams go,” Sir Foster said.
Still hopeful
Sir Foster, however, was still hopeful that the Indian government and the Organising Committee would be able to save the Games.
Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Michael Cavanagh said they had delayed the departure of the first party of 41 athletes, which included the boxing, rugby sevens and wrestling contingent.
“By delaying the arrival of our athletes by a few days, we hope to give the 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,” Mr. Cavanagh said.
“Health top priority”
To add to the woes of the organisers, Wales is also considering its options after giving the OC a deadline of Thursday evening to confirm if all venues and the Village are fit for purpose.
A Team Wales statement read, “The health and safety of our team has always been our top priority — which is why we have been so desperate to resolve the issues in the Games Village.”
Canada will delay sending athletes to New Deli because of concerns about health and safety conditions within the athletes village, Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) said on Wednesday.
The women's field hockey team and two shooting athletes, who were scheduled to leave Canada on Thursday evening, will remain home for at least two more days. Their travel arrangements have not yet been finalised.
“The bottom line is that the accommodations in the athletes village simply aren't ready,” Scott Stevenson, CGC's director of sport, who is in Delhi, said in a statement.
