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Teams ready to come to India, says things better now
LONDON: With the opening of the Commonwealth Games only days away, several of the teams due to compete at the event said they intend to travel to New Delhi despite concerns about the living conditions at the athletes' village.
The Wales team said on Thursday it has been assured by the local organizing committee that the village and all venues are ready for the October 3-14 games. The athletes' village opened on Thursday, but on Tuesday it was labeled "unsafe and unfit for human habitation" after excrement was found in some rooms.
"We are confident in the assurances that have been provided," the Wales team said in a statement. "The advance party will now be moving into our accommodation and we look forward to welcoming our athletes in the coming days."
Scotland, which decided on Wednesday to delay its departure to India because of the problems, also said that things have improved in New Delhi.
"We have continued to make progress addressing the maintenance and operational issues within our own accommodation block and things are looking much better," Team Scotland representative Jon Doig said. "Therefore subject to a number of assurances from the organizing committee being realized over the next 24 hours, we feel we will be in a position to confirm tomorrow that our team will travel as scheduled on Saturday."
The village, which is meant to house more than 7,000 athletes and officials, opened on Thursday with 138 Indian athletes and sports officials moving in, organizers said.
Canada and New Zealand have also said they would delay their departures, but South Africa said it planning to leave for India as scheduled.
"SASCOC met with the relevant state security personnel who have recently returned from India and we are satisfied that every area of our concern has been covered for now," said Tubby Reddy, the chief executive officer of South Africa's Olympic committee.
New Zealand Olympic Committee President Mike Stanley said that the travel changes would put a strain on the country's athletes.
"We know how hard this must be for athletes and we're continuing to push ... for an urgent resolution," Stanley said.
Teams ready to come to India, says things better now - The Times of India