The Delhi Commonwealth Games has lost another entrant after New Zealand’s top road cyclist Greg Henderson announced he will not compete due to health and security reasons.
The 33-year-old made an official posting on Twitter today, after more news came of substandard conditions in the athletes’ village and increased risk of contracting virus-borne dengue fever, AAP reported.
The 2010 Delhi Games have been marred with relentless problems, from delays and corruption allegations, to a collapsed bridge, collapsed stadium roof, and poor health regulations.
“It’s not all about Greg Henderson, I’ve got a family now,” he told NZPA, referring to his wife Katie Mactier—a former Australian track rider—and one-year-old son Charlie.
“I have to put them first and I don’t feel 100 per cent sure about the environment over there.”
While the cyclist agrees the Games will most likely go ahead, he is reluctant to expose himself to the risks.
“Realistically it’s probably going to be OK and the Games will go on,” he said. “But where I am in my career, at the moment the negatives outweigh the pros.”
Henderson already holds numerous medals, including a bronze from the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games and a points race gold, and team pursuit bronze at the 2002 Games in Manchester, according to AAP.
Henderson is the fifth cyclist to pull out of the Delhi Games this week. Days ago four British cyclists also decided to withdraw from the event.
The 33-year-old made an official posting on Twitter today, after more news came of substandard conditions in the athletes’ village and increased risk of contracting virus-borne dengue fever, AAP reported.
The 2010 Delhi Games have been marred with relentless problems, from delays and corruption allegations, to a collapsed bridge, collapsed stadium roof, and poor health regulations.
“It’s not all about Greg Henderson, I’ve got a family now,” he told NZPA, referring to his wife Katie Mactier—a former Australian track rider—and one-year-old son Charlie.
“I have to put them first and I don’t feel 100 per cent sure about the environment over there.”
While the cyclist agrees the Games will most likely go ahead, he is reluctant to expose himself to the risks.
“Realistically it’s probably going to be OK and the Games will go on,” he said. “But where I am in my career, at the moment the negatives outweigh the pros.”
Henderson already holds numerous medals, including a bronze from the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games and a points race gold, and team pursuit bronze at the 2002 Games in Manchester, according to AAP.
Henderson is the fifth cyclist to pull out of the Delhi Games this week. Days ago four British cyclists also decided to withdraw from the event.
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