September 25/10 11:42 am - Delhi Games Preparations by Losing Steam

Posted by Editoress on 09/25/10
 

Canadian Commonwealth Games officials did an about-face Friday, expressing concerns about the readiness of the athletes village in New Delhi, after being encouraged earlier in the day by work to address hygiene, electrical and plumbing problems.

By Friday, the number of labourers and the work they accomplished on Wednesday and Thursday had fallen off again, according to Scott Stevenson, director of sport for Commonwealth Games Canada.

"Today we saw some of the trends we have seen in the past, where there was a real pullback in activity, which was incredibly frustrating to say the least," said Stevenson in a conference call from the Indian capital. "There was a significant decrease in the volume of workers around the village and in general the amount of work that was able to get done."

He noted there are still concerns about safety issues in the rooms Canadian athletes will use during the Delhi Games, which begin Oct. 3.

Stevenson added athletes will be told to stay in Canada if the rooms do not meet acceptable standards. He did report half the competition venues look ready for training and nearly ready for competition.

To this point, about 50 of the 350 beds the Canadian team needs are ready. Elevators in the building don't work and untested fire hoses remain in cupboards no one can open.

"We are not prepared to put athletes into facilities that have deficiencies, as they relate to safety and security," said Andrew Pipe, president of Commonwealth Games Canada.

Full report at CBC