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Games gets bad name across globe
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 22
The uncertainty over participation of several countries in the Commonwealth Games due to organisers’ apparent “shoddy preparedness” for the mega event became more pronounced today as several countries issued warnings to the Organising Committee to put its act together at the earliest or face their possible boycott.

The warnings came loud and clear from the participating countries in different forms. Scotland said it would not be sending its contingent as per the existing schedule and see how things unfold in the coming days to take a final call. Team Welsh bluntly told the OC to tell it by today evening if the Games Village and venues were fit to host the event. England officials have reportedly said their participation was “on the knife-edge”.

In another setback for the Games, some top athletes of Australia and England announced today that they were withdrawing from the event. The reasons cited were a mix of security and health fears. Many world- class athletes have already pulled out of the event.

Canada also said it was disappointed with the delayed response of the Indian government to concerns made by the visiting delegations over the “unliveable” Games Village. Australia and New Zealand have also expressed their concerns over the poor conditions in the Village, though the international arena and dining facility at the venue have got some praise.

IN Deeper Mess

n England’s world champion triple jumper Phillips Idowu pulls out of the Games due to security fears. Scotland delays departure.

n Parts of a ceiling at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main venue, fall

n External Affairs Minister SM Krishna may face some embarrassing questions on New Delhi’s preparedness for the Games on the margins of the UN General Assembly meet.

VOICES from the world

The Games have already descended into farce with some countries giving an ultimatum of a few days to get the facilities ready or face the prospect of national withdrawals from an event which is so far only showcasing Indian traveller-tale clichés of filth, chaos and corruption. — Calgary Herald

The main stadium for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the venues for netball and track cycling have been developed by the company that built the footbridge that collapsed on Tuesday. The exasperated Games officials have requested an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister to demand more resources to fix problems at the Athletes' Village. — Sydney Herald

The fate of the Games in India is hanging in the balance after leading nations expressed concern over the state of facilities. Sir Andrew Foster, chairman of the England team, said it remained “very concerned” over the state of facilities. — The Guardian