The Commonwealth Games are essentially the second biggest thing behind the Olympics!
Anyways, gonna use this thread to keep track of whether we can beat you guys in the medal tally!
2010 Commonwealth Games [Delhi]
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by JimJim » Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:15 pm
No thread for this? C'mon guys!
The Commonwealth Games are essentially the second biggest thing behind the Olympics!
Anyways, gonna use this thread to keep track of whether we can beat you guys in the medal tally!
The Commonwealth Games are essentially the second biggest thing behind the Olympics!
Anyways, gonna use this thread to keep track of whether we can beat you guys in the medal tally!
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JimJim - Legend
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by irishguy28 » Tue Sep 21, 2010 1:28 pm
It looks like they may not happen after all.
Officials inspect a collapsed pedestrian bridge outside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The poor state of athlete accommodation for next month's Commonwealth Games has prompted demands for local authorities to urgently fix a raft of problems. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
Fears growing that Games may be called off
Concerns are growing over the viability of the Commonwealth Games after a bridge collapsed near the main stadium in Dehli and the Scottish team complained that their accommodation was "unsafe and unfit for human habitation".
Team Scotland said they were moved to a different building after complaining to the Games organising committee, but said even the new apartments required "serious cleaning and maintenance" to bring them up to standard.
Scotland are still planning to take part in the Games but have warned they "will not compromise on issues of health, safety and security".
Shortly after their statement was released, a bridge situated near the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium collapsed, with reports of several injuries. According to officials the structure gave way as labourers applied a concrete layer.
Team Scotland said: "The athletes' village is not only at the heart of any Commonwealth Games, but is fundamental to the staging of the event. The specification for the village set by Delhi 2010 promised to be of the highest standard, surpassing anything that had gone before.
"However on arrival in Delhi on Thursday last week, Team Scotland officials found that building works had fallen seriously behind schedule and that its allocated accommodation blocks were far from finished and in their view, unsafe and unfit for human habitation.
"After representation to the organising committee, Scotland was reallocated finished accommodation, but which still required serious cleaning and maintenance to bring it up to the necessary Games-ready standards.
"This has now been largely addressed by the Scotland team management, cleaning the seven-story tower block from top to bottom themselves with assistance from Delhi Games volunteers.
"However many of the other blocks in the Residential Zone still remain in a highly unsatisfactory state ... During the last few days, despite repeated promises, only slow progress has been made, to the extent that there are now grave concerns as to whether the village as a whole will meet the health and safety standards required to host all 71 CGAs and their 6,500 team members, which are due to start arriving on 23 September."
The Team Scotland chef de mission Jon Doig has held talks with his counterparts and the high commissioners of their respective countries to try establish the viability of the Games – assessing "at what point and under what conditions they would determine whether the Games will be able to go ahead."
Doig said: "We will continue to work closely with the organisers, to do everything possible to ensure that a satisfactory solution can be achieved for the benefit of all 71 competing countries.
"While we are a considerable way down the track to resolving our own specific accommodation issues, moving those arriving first has simply pushed the problems further down the line.
"The other countries will be arriving soon and the organisers will simply be overwhelmed by the volume of the problems they face unless they take action now. Those countries already here have articulated this at the highest level. We will continue to monitor the situation before determining our next response."
Commonwealth Games England also have significant concerns ahead of the evnt. "Commonwealth Games England remains optimistic that England participation at the Games can go ahead. However there is a lot still to be done in the village and this needs to be done with some urgency so that it is ready for the arrival of our first athletes on Friday.
"Since our first inspection, monsoon weather has highlighted a number of different issues which need to be addressed including plumbing, electrical and other operational details."
Commonwealth Games in Delhi could be called off, warns New Zealand team
Next month's Commonwealth Games could be called off due to "shocking" problems with the facilities in Delhi, the head of New Zealand's team has warned.
Complaints from team officials – ranging from cleanliness to internet access at the athletes' village – have added to existing criticisms over missed construction deadlines, corruption scandals and security.
The New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie has now questioned the viability of the Games. Currie told Newstalk ZB: "The way things are looking, it's not up to scratch.
"The reality is that if the village is not ready and athletes can't come, the implications are that it's not going to happen. It is unacceptable from the organising committee that they have put athletes through this."
Currie said the Games' security was now acceptable but revealed the New Zealand team have had to move to another building after finding a range of problems with their proposed accommodation, including "plumbing, wiring, internet access and mobile phone coverage".
The president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Michael Fennell, said he had written to the Indian government to demand the issues be resolved.
"Many nations that have already sent their advanced parties to set up within the village have made it abundantly clear that the Commonwealth Games village is seriously compromised. The condition of the residential zone has shocked the majority ... significant operational matters remained unaddressed."
Organising Committee vice-president Randhir Singh said some of problems had come from the labour force "dirtying" the completed apartments, but he insisted that the flats were "perfect".
Singh said: "The problems will be looked into and I'm sure there will be no problem. We still have two days for the teams to come and the situation will be under control.
"The buildings are perfect, 24 hours is a long time and we will organise it."
Officials inspect a collapsed pedestrian bridge outside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The poor state of athlete accommodation for next month's Commonwealth Games has prompted demands for local authorities to urgently fix a raft of problems. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
Fears growing that Games may be called off
Concerns are growing over the viability of the Commonwealth Games after a bridge collapsed near the main stadium in Dehli and the Scottish team complained that their accommodation was "unsafe and unfit for human habitation".
Team Scotland said they were moved to a different building after complaining to the Games organising committee, but said even the new apartments required "serious cleaning and maintenance" to bring them up to standard.
Scotland are still planning to take part in the Games but have warned they "will not compromise on issues of health, safety and security".
Shortly after their statement was released, a bridge situated near the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium collapsed, with reports of several injuries. According to officials the structure gave way as labourers applied a concrete layer.
Team Scotland said: "The athletes' village is not only at the heart of any Commonwealth Games, but is fundamental to the staging of the event. The specification for the village set by Delhi 2010 promised to be of the highest standard, surpassing anything that had gone before.
"However on arrival in Delhi on Thursday last week, Team Scotland officials found that building works had fallen seriously behind schedule and that its allocated accommodation blocks were far from finished and in their view, unsafe and unfit for human habitation.
"After representation to the organising committee, Scotland was reallocated finished accommodation, but which still required serious cleaning and maintenance to bring it up to the necessary Games-ready standards.
"This has now been largely addressed by the Scotland team management, cleaning the seven-story tower block from top to bottom themselves with assistance from Delhi Games volunteers.
"However many of the other blocks in the Residential Zone still remain in a highly unsatisfactory state ... During the last few days, despite repeated promises, only slow progress has been made, to the extent that there are now grave concerns as to whether the village as a whole will meet the health and safety standards required to host all 71 CGAs and their 6,500 team members, which are due to start arriving on 23 September."
The Team Scotland chef de mission Jon Doig has held talks with his counterparts and the high commissioners of their respective countries to try establish the viability of the Games – assessing "at what point and under what conditions they would determine whether the Games will be able to go ahead."
Doig said: "We will continue to work closely with the organisers, to do everything possible to ensure that a satisfactory solution can be achieved for the benefit of all 71 competing countries.
"While we are a considerable way down the track to resolving our own specific accommodation issues, moving those arriving first has simply pushed the problems further down the line.
"The other countries will be arriving soon and the organisers will simply be overwhelmed by the volume of the problems they face unless they take action now. Those countries already here have articulated this at the highest level. We will continue to monitor the situation before determining our next response."
Commonwealth Games England also have significant concerns ahead of the evnt. "Commonwealth Games England remains optimistic that England participation at the Games can go ahead. However there is a lot still to be done in the village and this needs to be done with some urgency so that it is ready for the arrival of our first athletes on Friday.
"Since our first inspection, monsoon weather has highlighted a number of different issues which need to be addressed including plumbing, electrical and other operational details."
Commonwealth Games in Delhi could be called off, warns New Zealand team
Next month's Commonwealth Games could be called off due to "shocking" problems with the facilities in Delhi, the head of New Zealand's team has warned.
Complaints from team officials – ranging from cleanliness to internet access at the athletes' village – have added to existing criticisms over missed construction deadlines, corruption scandals and security.
The New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie has now questioned the viability of the Games. Currie told Newstalk ZB: "The way things are looking, it's not up to scratch.
"The reality is that if the village is not ready and athletes can't come, the implications are that it's not going to happen. It is unacceptable from the organising committee that they have put athletes through this."
Currie said the Games' security was now acceptable but revealed the New Zealand team have had to move to another building after finding a range of problems with their proposed accommodation, including "plumbing, wiring, internet access and mobile phone coverage".
The president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Michael Fennell, said he had written to the Indian government to demand the issues be resolved.
"Many nations that have already sent their advanced parties to set up within the village have made it abundantly clear that the Commonwealth Games village is seriously compromised. The condition of the residential zone has shocked the majority ... significant operational matters remained unaddressed."
Organising Committee vice-president Randhir Singh said some of problems had come from the labour force "dirtying" the completed apartments, but he insisted that the flats were "perfect".
Singh said: "The problems will be looked into and I'm sure there will be no problem. We still have two days for the teams to come and the situation will be under control.
"The buildings are perfect, 24 hours is a long time and we will organise it."
"A look into Angela Merkel’s luggage for today’s EU summit is likely to reveal an extra blouse, a big stick and no carrot."
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irishguy28 - Legend
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by Virgostar » Wed Sep 22, 2010 5:48 am
Dammit, was in the middle of typing a post to this when I accidentally closed the tab. 
I hope things don't go ahead, preparations for the event have been a total farce and have been for months, despite the media pressure to do something about it. Structures, venues & accomodation are nowhere near being up to scratch despite what the organisers keep saying & all this talk about security being an issue makes me think that organisers e.t.c. have just been faffing about the entire time....not to mention the outbreak of dengue fever! I don't blame any athlete who has pulled out or who wants to pull out, its an utter shambles!
Still, if it does go ahead, then like Jim said, we shall use this thread to keep track of Australia whooping everyone's arses in the medal tally.
I hope things don't go ahead, preparations for the event have been a total farce and have been for months, despite the media pressure to do something about it. Structures, venues & accomodation are nowhere near being up to scratch despite what the organisers keep saying & all this talk about security being an issue makes me think that organisers e.t.c. have just been faffing about the entire time....not to mention the outbreak of dengue fever! I don't blame any athlete who has pulled out or who wants to pull out, its an utter shambles!
Still, if it does go ahead, then like Jim said, we shall use this thread to keep track of Australia whooping everyone's arses in the medal tally.
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Virgostar - Token Aussie Female
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by JimJim » Wed Sep 22, 2010 5:52 am
I think they will go ahead, but I wouldn't travel over there as a tourist.
Really poor form on India's behalf, I don't know about in Europe, but this is like the main headline every day here.
Really poor form on India's behalf, I don't know about in Europe, but this is like the main headline every day here.
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JimJim - Legend
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by irishguy28 » Wed Sep 22, 2010 9:34 am
In Europe, no, but in the UK, yes. Hardly anyone from outside the Commonwealth knows that these Games are even due to happen.
Though with this second "collapse" (of a false ceiling in the weightlifting arena), it's likely to make news in areas which normally don't report on CWG matters.
Commonwealth Games 'on a knife-edge' says England chairman
• Sir Andrew Foster says event faces 'a criticial 24 to 48 hours'
• Fears grow as ceiling collapses near the weightlifting stage
Commonwealth Games England chairman Sir Andrew Foster admits problems with the athletes' village have left the competition "on a knife-edge" and facing "a critical 24 to 48 hours".
Scotland team officials this morning delayed the departure of their first athletes to Delhi, having yesterday described their accommodation as "unsafe and unfit for human habitation".
Today organisers faced further embarrassment over claims of a security breach, and the collapse of a section of false ceiling near the weightlifting stage at the main Jawarharlal Stadium. The ceiling collapse followed the collapse of a footbridge linking the stadium to a car park yesterday, injuring 26 workers.
Foster told the BBC: "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 enough accommodation for everybody. I think we're at an absolutely vital time [regarding] whether the major teams go.
"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. It's a situation that hangs on a knife-edge."
He said much work remains to be done at the village – but suggested a last-minute approach is commonplace in India and a late turnaround therefore remains feasible.
"It is not certain and we will not be sending our team unless we are confident," he said. "But there still is a serious chance, if the Indian government and the organising committee throw thousands of people at the village – which is what they quite often do in India – that this could still be salvable.
"The village still has a lot of remedial work needing to be done. But it is the case in India, when building projects are coming to a conclusion, that that is a typical way that things happen and that is quite a big cultural difference.
"The safety of the athletes has to be our primary concern. But equally, we cannot just respond to that alone, we have to evaluate the whole thing together and that is what we are doing."
Team Scotland said they had delayed the departure of their first party of 41 athletes and staff in the sports of boxing, rugby sevens and wrestling.
Cavanagh said: "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."
Officials said the latest problem, the collapsed ceiling, was a "minor thing".
Indian Cabinet Secretary KM Chandreshekhar said: "The cables which were to be set up for the data network were placed on the false ceiling and due to the weight of the cables the ceiling fell off. It's a minor thing and it will be corrected. It's not a matter to be worried about."
Though with this second "collapse" (of a false ceiling in the weightlifting arena), it's likely to make news in areas which normally don't report on CWG matters.
Commonwealth Games 'on a knife-edge' says England chairman
• Sir Andrew Foster says event faces 'a criticial 24 to 48 hours'
• Fears grow as ceiling collapses near the weightlifting stage
Commonwealth Games England chairman Sir Andrew Foster admits problems with the athletes' village have left the competition "on a knife-edge" and facing "a critical 24 to 48 hours".
Scotland team officials this morning delayed the departure of their first athletes to Delhi, having yesterday described their accommodation as "unsafe and unfit for human habitation".
Today organisers faced further embarrassment over claims of a security breach, and the collapse of a section of false ceiling near the weightlifting stage at the main Jawarharlal Stadium. The ceiling collapse followed the collapse of a footbridge linking the stadium to a car park yesterday, injuring 26 workers.
Foster told the BBC: "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 enough accommodation for everybody. I think we're at an absolutely vital time [regarding] whether the major teams go.
"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. It's a situation that hangs on a knife-edge."
He said much work remains to be done at the village – but suggested a last-minute approach is commonplace in India and a late turnaround therefore remains feasible.
"It is not certain and we will not be sending our team unless we are confident," he said. "But there still is a serious chance, if the Indian government and the organising committee throw thousands of people at the village – which is what they quite often do in India – that this could still be salvable.
"The village still has a lot of remedial work needing to be done. But it is the case in India, when building projects are coming to a conclusion, that that is a typical way that things happen and that is quite a big cultural difference.
"The safety of the athletes has to be our primary concern. But equally, we cannot just respond to that alone, we have to evaluate the whole thing together and that is what we are doing."
Team Scotland said they had delayed the departure of their first party of 41 athletes and staff in the sports of boxing, rugby sevens and wrestling.
Cavanagh said: "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."
Officials said the latest problem, the collapsed ceiling, was a "minor thing".
Indian Cabinet Secretary KM Chandreshekhar said: "The cables which were to be set up for the data network were placed on the false ceiling and due to the weight of the cables the ceiling fell off. It's a minor thing and it will be corrected. It's not a matter to be worried about."
"A look into Angela Merkel’s luggage for today’s EU summit is likely to reveal an extra blouse, a big stick and no carrot."
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irishguy28 - Legend
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by irishguy28 » Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:43 pm
Canada's participation is in doubt.
Canada's Commonwealth Games committee has formally declared "serious concerns" about the state of the athletes' village.
Scott Stevenson, Commonwealth Games Canada's director of sport: "We are deeply concerned that the condition of the residence facilities is not at all what we expected, nor anything like what was promised."
Stevenson said there were also issues with plumbing, wiring and Internet and mobile telephone coverage, and asked the organizing committee to have these issues resolved immediately. "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."
Canada's Commonwealth Games committee has formally declared "serious concerns" about the state of the athletes' village.
Scott Stevenson, Commonwealth Games Canada's director of sport: "We are deeply concerned that the condition of the residence facilities is not at all what we expected, nor anything like what was promised."
Stevenson said there were also issues with plumbing, wiring and Internet and mobile telephone coverage, and asked the organizing committee to have these issues resolved immediately. "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."
"A look into Angela Merkel’s luggage for today’s EU summit is likely to reveal an extra blouse, a big stick and no carrot."
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irishguy28 - Legend
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by irishguy28 » Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:44 pm
The bookmakers William Hill have cut their odds on the Commonwealth Games failing to start on schedule from 5-1 to 3-1 after a "concerted gamble" during the last 48 hours. They also offer 2-1 that one or more England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will officially pull out of the Games before their scheduled start date.
Here is a short list of athletes who are not going (far from comprehensive, English unless otherwise stated, and most not because of recent events in Delhi):
Phillips Idowu, triple jumper, safety concerns
Christine Ohuruogu, 400m runner, injury
Lisa Dobriskey, 1,500m runner, injury
Chris Hoy, Scotland, cycylist, tournament clash
Victoria Pendleton, cyclist, tournament clash
Jessica Ennis, heptathlete
Dani Samuels, Australia, discus thrower, safety concerns
Usain Bolt, Jamaica, sprinter
Shelly-Ann Fraser, Jamaica, sprinter
Paula Radcliffe, marathon runner
Beth Tweddle, gymnast
Asbel Kiprop, Kenya, 1,500m runner
According to Reuters:
New Zealand's swimming team left today for Abu Dhabi, with an official saying another competition was in the pipeline if the Games are cancelled. Australian and Canadian squads are in Singapore and the British in Doha, suggesting another Asian meet could be hastily organised.
Here is a short list of athletes who are not going (far from comprehensive, English unless otherwise stated, and most not because of recent events in Delhi):
Phillips Idowu, triple jumper, safety concerns
Christine Ohuruogu, 400m runner, injury
Lisa Dobriskey, 1,500m runner, injury
Chris Hoy, Scotland, cycylist, tournament clash
Victoria Pendleton, cyclist, tournament clash
Jessica Ennis, heptathlete
Dani Samuels, Australia, discus thrower, safety concerns
Usain Bolt, Jamaica, sprinter
Shelly-Ann Fraser, Jamaica, sprinter
Paula Radcliffe, marathon runner
Beth Tweddle, gymnast
Asbel Kiprop, Kenya, 1,500m runner
According to Reuters:
New Zealand's swimming team left today for Abu Dhabi, with an official saying another competition was in the pipeline if the Games are cancelled. Australian and Canadian squads are in Singapore and the British in Doha, suggesting another Asian meet could be hastily organised.
"A look into Angela Merkel’s luggage for today’s EU summit is likely to reveal an extra blouse, a big stick and no carrot."
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irishguy28 - Legend
- Posts: 27181
- Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004
- Location: .nl
by irishguy28 » Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:46 pm
Commonwealth Games' fate to be decided within 48 hours
India's prime minister to hold crisis talks with Commonwealth Games Federation's president as Welsh team gives ultimatum
Collapsed footbridge in Delhi Cranes clear wreckage after the collapse of a footbridge built for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Photograph: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/REUTERS
The fate of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi is to be decided within 48 hours as India's prime minister prepared for a round of crisis talks and the Welsh team set organisers a deadline to prove the venues and athletes' village were fit for use.
Sir Andrew Foster, the chair of Commonwealth Games England, said the future of the event remained "on a knife edge" just 11 days before the opening ceremony.
Teams that have sent advance parties raised serious concerns about the state of the accommodation, which has been described as "not fit for human habitation". A string of big-name athletes have pulled out amid security and health concerns.
The Commonwealth Games Federation's president, Mike Fennell, will arrive in Delhi tomorrow and has requested a meeting with India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh.
The Federation's chief executive, Mike Hooper, said the problems with the games' preparations had prompted Fennell to rush to Delhi far earlier than planned. His emergency trip "emphasises that this is an important issue and we obviously need to engage at the highest level to get it fixed", he said.
The Welsh team today gave organisers a deadline of this evening to confirm that all venues and the athletes' village were "fit for purpose" before deciding whether to travel.
The Commonwealth Games Council for Wales chair, Anne Ellis, said this morning's collapse of a false ceiling in the weightlifting venue – following yesterday's collapse of a footbridge outside the main stadium that injured 27 people – had added "a different dimension" to the discussion. It remains unlikely that any team will take the decision to pull out unilaterally.
"The decision will be made, but it won't be made in isolation. We have delegations from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, New Zealand and Australia out there and the decision will be made jointly," Ellis told Sky News.
"I just hope it isn't going to come to that – I hope the organising committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation will pull out all the stops to ensure it can go ahead."
The Scottish team, one of the most strident in its criticisms of the village, today delayed the departure of the first group of 41 athletes due to travel tomorrow. Scotland has 192 athletes due to participate in Delhi.
"Scotland is hugely committed to the Commonwealth Games. Our team on the ground will continue to monitor the situation. However, we will not compromise on areas of athlete health, safety and security," said Michael Cavanagh, the chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland.
"We need urgent action from the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Delhi organising committee to address these crucial issues."
The first English athletes are also due to fly tomorrow, but the party will not include defending Commonwealth champions Christine Ohuruogu, Phillips Idowu or Lisa Dobriskey. The trio pulled out yesterday, with Idowu citing security concerns and the other two athletes blaming injury.
In addition to shoddy conditions inside and outside the buildings, there are also problems with plumbing, wiring, furnishings, internet access and mobile phone coverage. Hooper also confirmed reports of excrement found in the village.
"I've never come across this before," Hooper said of the last-minute preparations. "It's very frustrating to see the delays and the fact that we've had to come right down to the wire.
"We've been complaining about the delivery of the venues for nearly two years, and the constant delays," he told the Associated Press.
Foster said this morning that "the next 24 to 48 hours is the critical time" to determine whether the standards of the athletes' village could be raised in time.
He told the BBC that "the safety of the athletes has to be our primary concern but, equally, we cannot just respond to that alone. We have to evaluate the whole thing together and that is what we are doing."
Officials in India continued to play down the problems. "We are absolutely prepared," the cabinet secretary, KM Chandrasekhar, told CNN-IBN television today. Organisers on the ground said a vast team of cleaners would ensure the village was ready and insisted that over the next two days the "finishing touches" would be put to the 34 residential towers due to house 6,500 athletes.
Officials said the collapsed ceiling in the weightlifting venue was a "minor thing", but each new setback increases the feeling of a snowballing crisis.
Chandrasekhar said: "The cables which were to be set up for the data network were placed on the false ceiling and due to the weight of the cables the ceiling fell off. It's a minor thing and it will be corrected. It's not a matter to be worried about."
There were also fears that the status of the Commonwealth Games could be fatally undermined if the list of big-name athletes not competing continues to grow. Glasgow is due to host the next event in 2014.
Already a string of big names have withdrawn, including British athletes Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Beth Tweddle and Jessica Ennis, plus Jamaican Olympic 100m champions Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser.
A source close to the organisers of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 played down fears that the Scotland squad might pull out entirely because of the risk to the games' reputation and to Scotland as the next host of the event.
He admitted that individual athletes may independently decide not to travel as events were moving so quickly in Delhi. But he added that because the games had not yet begun, it was still too early to judge whether it was a success or not.
He said: "It's a given we will be demonstrating our support for the games in Delhi by being there. Short of travel advice changing from the Foreign Office, that's not going to change."
The Glasgow games organisers, including the Commonwealth Games' executives and senior figures in Glasgow city council, will be heavily represented in Delhi.
The council leader, Gordon Matheson, and the lord provost, Bob Winter, are due to attend the final days of the games for the official handover, with 348 performers from Scotland dancing at the closing ceremony on 14 October. Winter will be handed the official games' flag on behalf of Glasgow.
India's prime minister to hold crisis talks with Commonwealth Games Federation's president as Welsh team gives ultimatum
Collapsed footbridge in Delhi Cranes clear wreckage after the collapse of a footbridge built for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Photograph: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/REUTERS
The fate of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi is to be decided within 48 hours as India's prime minister prepared for a round of crisis talks and the Welsh team set organisers a deadline to prove the venues and athletes' village were fit for use.
Sir Andrew Foster, the chair of Commonwealth Games England, said the future of the event remained "on a knife edge" just 11 days before the opening ceremony.
Teams that have sent advance parties raised serious concerns about the state of the accommodation, which has been described as "not fit for human habitation". A string of big-name athletes have pulled out amid security and health concerns.
The Commonwealth Games Federation's president, Mike Fennell, will arrive in Delhi tomorrow and has requested a meeting with India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh.
The Federation's chief executive, Mike Hooper, said the problems with the games' preparations had prompted Fennell to rush to Delhi far earlier than planned. His emergency trip "emphasises that this is an important issue and we obviously need to engage at the highest level to get it fixed", he said.
The Welsh team today gave organisers a deadline of this evening to confirm that all venues and the athletes' village were "fit for purpose" before deciding whether to travel.
The Commonwealth Games Council for Wales chair, Anne Ellis, said this morning's collapse of a false ceiling in the weightlifting venue – following yesterday's collapse of a footbridge outside the main stadium that injured 27 people – had added "a different dimension" to the discussion. It remains unlikely that any team will take the decision to pull out unilaterally.
"The decision will be made, but it won't be made in isolation. We have delegations from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, New Zealand and Australia out there and the decision will be made jointly," Ellis told Sky News.
"I just hope it isn't going to come to that – I hope the organising committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation will pull out all the stops to ensure it can go ahead."
The Scottish team, one of the most strident in its criticisms of the village, today delayed the departure of the first group of 41 athletes due to travel tomorrow. Scotland has 192 athletes due to participate in Delhi.
"Scotland is hugely committed to the Commonwealth Games. Our team on the ground will continue to monitor the situation. However, we will not compromise on areas of athlete health, safety and security," said Michael Cavanagh, the chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland.
"We need urgent action from the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Delhi organising committee to address these crucial issues."
The first English athletes are also due to fly tomorrow, but the party will not include defending Commonwealth champions Christine Ohuruogu, Phillips Idowu or Lisa Dobriskey. The trio pulled out yesterday, with Idowu citing security concerns and the other two athletes blaming injury.
In addition to shoddy conditions inside and outside the buildings, there are also problems with plumbing, wiring, furnishings, internet access and mobile phone coverage. Hooper also confirmed reports of excrement found in the village.
"I've never come across this before," Hooper said of the last-minute preparations. "It's very frustrating to see the delays and the fact that we've had to come right down to the wire.
"We've been complaining about the delivery of the venues for nearly two years, and the constant delays," he told the Associated Press.
Foster said this morning that "the next 24 to 48 hours is the critical time" to determine whether the standards of the athletes' village could be raised in time.
He told the BBC that "the safety of the athletes has to be our primary concern but, equally, we cannot just respond to that alone. We have to evaluate the whole thing together and that is what we are doing."
Officials in India continued to play down the problems. "We are absolutely prepared," the cabinet secretary, KM Chandrasekhar, told CNN-IBN television today. Organisers on the ground said a vast team of cleaners would ensure the village was ready and insisted that over the next two days the "finishing touches" would be put to the 34 residential towers due to house 6,500 athletes.
Officials said the collapsed ceiling in the weightlifting venue was a "minor thing", but each new setback increases the feeling of a snowballing crisis.
Chandrasekhar said: "The cables which were to be set up for the data network were placed on the false ceiling and due to the weight of the cables the ceiling fell off. It's a minor thing and it will be corrected. It's not a matter to be worried about."
There were also fears that the status of the Commonwealth Games could be fatally undermined if the list of big-name athletes not competing continues to grow. Glasgow is due to host the next event in 2014.
Already a string of big names have withdrawn, including British athletes Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Beth Tweddle and Jessica Ennis, plus Jamaican Olympic 100m champions Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser.
A source close to the organisers of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 played down fears that the Scotland squad might pull out entirely because of the risk to the games' reputation and to Scotland as the next host of the event.
He admitted that individual athletes may independently decide not to travel as events were moving so quickly in Delhi. But he added that because the games had not yet begun, it was still too early to judge whether it was a success or not.
He said: "It's a given we will be demonstrating our support for the games in Delhi by being there. Short of travel advice changing from the Foreign Office, that's not going to change."
The Glasgow games organisers, including the Commonwealth Games' executives and senior figures in Glasgow city council, will be heavily represented in Delhi.
The council leader, Gordon Matheson, and the lord provost, Bob Winter, are due to attend the final days of the games for the official handover, with 348 performers from Scotland dancing at the closing ceremony on 14 October. Winter will be handed the official games' flag on behalf of Glasgow.
"A look into Angela Merkel’s luggage for today’s EU summit is likely to reveal an extra blouse, a big stick and no carrot."
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irishguy28 - Legend
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by irishguy28 » Thu Sep 23, 2010 2:20 pm
The tide has turned. Scotland and Wales have both announced in the past few minutes that their teams will be travelling.
"A look into Angela Merkel’s luggage for today’s EU summit is likely to reveal an extra blouse, a big stick and no carrot."
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irishguy28 - Legend
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by irishguy28 » Thu Sep 23, 2010 2:25 pm
Photos on the BBC website of the Athletes' village accommodation
"A look into Angela Merkel’s luggage for today’s EU summit is likely to reveal an extra blouse, a big stick and no carrot."
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irishguy28 - Legend
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The opening ceremony seemed to go down pretty well. Go Aussie swimmers.by AussieDude » Mon Oct 04, 2010 11:47 am
Watching it right now. Aussies are smashing in the pool! Only been watching for an hour and Australia has already won 2 gold and 2 silver plus a heap through too the finals 
GO AUSTRALIA!!!!
GO AUSTRALIA!!!!
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AussieDude - Manager
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by AussieDude » Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:51 am
YES! Eamon made heaps of ground and got us back in the game. Shame he did win in yesterdays 100m freestyle but bronze is still good. And James Monk is it? He did swim very well. He did exactly what the 4th person in a 4x100m relay should do which is kisk ass!JimJim wrote:How good was the 4x 100m! Eamon got us back in the running, then James killed it!
Watching today's heats now.
Sad about Sally, I think her name is, how was was disqualified this morning and lost her gold medal
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AussieDude - Manager
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by AussieDude » Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:38 am
OMG I know aye! Three people jumped too early. Sad that the Ozzy who won gold got disqualified. thats two gold gone in less than 24hrsJimJim wrote:Oh my god - THE DRAMA!
What a night of swimming.
Hopefully we can maek up for it with the rest of the events tonight.
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by Virgostar » Mon Oct 11, 2010 5:31 am
A general WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO for us kicking arse on the medal tally.
Ooh and it looks like the Nigerian girl who got handed the gold in Sally's place might be...*gasp*...a drug cheat! (Of sorts.)
Ooh and it looks like the Nigerian girl who got handed the gold in Sally's place might be...*gasp*...a drug cheat! (Of sorts.)
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Virgostar - Token Aussie Female
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by Virgostar » Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:16 am
Nobody else cares methinks except us.JimJim wrote:Ahh, go SALLY!
That was such a great moment.
P.S. has it occurred to anyone else that only Aussies and IrishGuy (who I think used to live here) have posted in this thread?
Yes, GO SALLY indeed.
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Virgostar - Token Aussie Female
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by android » Thu Oct 14, 2010 12:08 pm
Well done India you got there in the end. Congratulations for holding a successful games.
Here be some of the medal tally. Go Aussies
AUS 74 55 48
IND 38 27 36
ENG 37 59 46
CAN 26 17 32
RSA 12 11 10
KEN 12 11 9
MAS 12 10 14
SIN 11 11 9
NGR 11 10 14
SCO 9 10 7
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