Scotland delays athletes' departure over growing C'Wealth Games problems

Commonwealth Games organisers today suffered another setback with Scotland delaying the departure of their athletes to Delhi earlier scheduled tomorrow over health and safety fears.

The decision comes after some of the Commonwealth officials, including CGF chief Michael Fennell, expressing "shock" at the unhygienic conditions at the Games Village and top athletes pulling out due to safety and health concerns.

Scotland did not specify any date it will send its athletes, simply saying that it's giving organisers more time to address the concerns it has raised. Its first party of 41 athletes and staff in boxing, rugby sevens and wrestling were earlier scheduled to leave tomorrow.

Commonwealth Games Scotland chief Michael Cavanagh said his country is giving the organisers more time to address the concerns they have been raised.

"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," CGS chairman Cavanagh said.

"We have discussed this with the sports involved and are in agreement that this is the best course of action under the circumstances. Whilst this is an untimely alteration to their plans, it will ultimately cause less disruption to their final training and preparation than if they were to arrive in Games Village which is not yet fit for purpose and fully functional.  Scotland is hugely committed to the Commonwealth Games," he said.

Cavanagh reiterated his call for "urgent action" by the organising committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation, but insisted Scotland are determined to participate in the event.

"Our team on the ground will continue to monitor the situation, however we will not compromise on areas of athlete health, safety and security. We need urgent action from the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Delhi Organising Committee to address these crucial issues."

Scotland's chef de mission Jon Doig said in a statement, "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. We will continue to monitor the situation before determining our next response.

"At this point we are planning for full participation in the Games and sincerely hope that the outstanding issues can be resolved, however, we will not compromise on issues of health, safety and security," he said.

The Games, starting on October 3, have faced multiple problems in its build-up, including corruption, threats of terror attack and dengue fever, unhygienic conditions at Athletes' Village and collapse of a footbridge near the main venue.