The Commonwealth Games is scheduled to start on Oct. 3 in India, but a number of delegates from various countries have objected to “unliveable” conditions, the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) reported.
Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell described the athletes’ village in New Delhi as “seriously compromised,” according to NZPA.
In mid-August Commonwealth Games Federation president Mike Fennell was concerned about the state of the athletes’ village, which he said must be finished by mid-September.
“The sanitation has to improve and the hygiene has to be of the highest standards,” he said, the AFP newswire service reported. “There is need to address the roads around the village, the landscaping and the cleanliness.”
New Zealand Commonwealth Games Chef de Mission Dave Currie is currently in Delhi looking at the facilities, he believes the Commonwealth Games might be called off, reported Stuff.co.nz.
Talking to Newstalk ZB he said, “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.”
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is also concerned about the accommodation, saying there is “no point” sending athletes to the games if the accommodation isn’t up to standard, Stuff reported.
The New Zealand team has been moved from their site in Delhi, due to the poor conditions.
“Clearly there are some concerns and they are really around health and sanitation issues for our athletes. We had a meeting at the village yesterday and we have made it quite clear our expectations of the standard we expect for our athletes,” reported Stuff.
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