September 21/10 11:11 am - Concerns Mount Over Commonwealth Games Preparedness

Posted by Editoress on 09/21/10
 

Concerns continue to grow over the rapidly approaching Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, scheduled to begin October 5th.  After earlier reports that construction of facilities was behind schedule, the withdrawal of high profile athletes (including cyclists Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton) and the terrorist attack on tourists earlier in the week, the Canadian Commonwealth Games governing body has released its first formal note of concern:

Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) has formally advised the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and the 2010 Delhi Organizing Committee of its "serious concerns" about the current state of the Athletes Village.

"We are deeply concerned that the condition of the residence facilities is not at all what we expected, nor anything like what was promised," said Scott Stevenson, CGC's Director of Sport, who arrived in Delhi last week to make final preparations for Team Canada's arrival.

"Beyond the major clean-up required, there are other issues with plumbing, wiring, furnishings, Internet access, and mobile telephone coverage. We recognize that the monsoon rains have made things more difficult for workers here. But the current conditions are unacceptable and we have formally requested that the CGF and the Organizing Committee get these issues resolved prior to the athlete arrivals that begin on Friday."

Stevenson noted that these issues will affect all of the teams competing at the Delhi Games and that Canada has strongly encouraged the Host Organizing Committee to ensure that all of the residence buildings are brought up to standard as quickly as possible.

"We are working very closely with Games organizers, the CGF, the Canadian High Commission, and our colleagues from other countries to try to resolve these issues as thoroughly and as efficiently as possible," he added.

CGC President, Dr. Andrew Pipe, added that the Association is working diligently, in close collaboration with all of its partner organizations, to provide as much support as possible to the Canadian advance team in Delhi. "We're addressing an extremely challenging situation and monitoring developments very closely. The well-being and safety of our team members is a fundamental priority. We're very fortunate to have such capable staff in Delhi who are working very hard to ensure that we resolve these issues as quickly as possible" said Dr. Pipe.

Stevenson would not speculate on what might happen if the shortcomings are not addressed within the next few days, preferring to focus on the task at hand. "These problems can be fixed, but it's going to take a massive, coordinated effort to get it done. We're committed to doing everything we can to make it so."

He did say that team travel schedules have not changed and that Canada's pre-Games planning is moving full steam ahead.

Courtesy Commonwealth Games Canada