48 hours after ‘hygiene crisis’, teams set for the big party

Good news for the Games on Thursday as various associations began confirming that their athletes would indeed be coming to Delhi.

Good news for the Games on Thursday as various associations began confirming that their athletes would indeed be coming to Delhi. Some were coming in as per schedule, others, after prolonging their pre-meet camps. Wales and Scotland confirmed participation, a day after raising objections over safety and living standards in the Games Village and venues. The Welsh team's advance party spoke to HT on Thursday morning, saying the squad would be arriving on the 25th, as planned.

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In an official statement, Team Wales said, “The Commonwealth Games Federation has received assurances from the Delhi 2010 Organising Committee that all venues and village are fit for purpose.”

Scotland representative Jon Doig said the first batch of 41 Scottish athletes will now fly out on Saturday after postponing their departure, originally scheduled for Thursday.

“We are heartened that Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has personally taken control of the situation and is ensuring that the necessary additional resources are brought in, including support from the Delhi hoteliers association to address standards of cleanliness and hygiene and oversee quality control.

“Subject to a number of assurances from the Organising Committee being realised over the next 24 hours, we feel we will be in a position to confirm tomorrow that our team will travel on Saturday.”

Welsh sprinter Christian Malcolm, who won a silver in 200m at the European Championships this year, said he will travel to Delhi unless told not to go. “Until I get a phone call telling me otherwise, I can't wait to be out there,” he said.

The first English athletes — the lawns bowls and hockey teams — were set to fly out on Thursday. Craig Hunter, the chief of the English team confirmed that players will be arriving but added that, “Our accommodation is the best of the lot, but we were a little worried for other competitors. Some of the block look dangerous. Early next week will be crucial.