Toronto/New Delhi: After Canada Wednesday told some of its athletes to delay proceeding to the Commonwealth Games because of "unliveable" conditions at the athletes' village, two Canadian archers pulled out of the sporting event citing safety and health concerns.
Kevin Tataryn and Dietmar Trillus said they will not be going to New Delhi any more, according to coach Richard Towler. They join Australian discus thrower Dani Samuels and England triple jumper Phillips Idowu who have decided to pull out of the Games for security reasons. Canada's heavyweight boxing champion Samir El-Mais also hinted that he too might pull out of the event.
The boxer, who is to leave for India with six other pugilists Saturday, said he was scared of going to Delhi after hearing about conditions in the sports village. "It's kind of scared me. Will I feel safe, probably not, but we are guests there, they have to take care of us," the boxer was quoted as saying.
There was a mixed reaction from Canadian athletes to the pullout. Crispin Duenas said: "It's sad to see them go and not be able to compete with us. It will definitely put a dent in our team round."
Jay Lyon said: "Pretty upsetting that India hasn't got their act together in time and I do not want to be a part of living in that kind of atmosphere."
"You know you set up for a big games like this - the only one this year and you look forward to it so to lose the games I think it would be disappointing," said Jamie Adjetey-Nelson.
"We respect that decision as does Canada Commonwealth Games, there's absolutely no pressure," said Gary Lunn.
Meanwhile, Reports say New Zealand may keep its athletes in Singapore if conditions do not improve. The hockey and badminton teams are scheduled to reach Delhi on Sunday. But a final decision will be taken on Thursday after word from Games Federation chief Mike Fennell who will be in Delhi the same day. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the future of the Games would be jeopardised if the Delhi event is cancelled. He said security rather than the state of facilities remains the biggest concern.
Jan Cameron, swimmer from New Zealand, said: "It's quite disconcerting the lack of assurance. We're in a sport where you want everything to be based on time and absolutes. It is quite disconcerting. But we've tried to take that worry away from them and say 'well, we're going into Abu Dhabi, we've got the rest of our job to do. We're at the moment going into Delhi. If it's not the case, we will find an alternative for you. And just don't worry about it because it will be looked after."
"We're nervously waiting each day for news from NZOC (New Zealand Olympic Committee) who are really the people who will decide our fate about whether or not we go. We have to trust them and their judgment," Cameron added.
Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman Michael Cavanagh said: "All of those Commonwealth Games countries are all of a similar opinion right now that the Games are under some threat simply because the village is not ready. So this is not just a team Scotland matter, our accommodation is just about liveable but we believe that other parts of the village that they simply can't cope when six and a half thousand athletes and officials come from all over the Commonwealth within the next seven days, that's the issue."
Earlier in the day, Commonwealth Games Canada told some of its athletes to delay their journey to Commonwealth Games beginning Oct 3, saying a decision will be taken once it is confident their sportspersons are "safe and healthy."
The Canadian women's field hockey team, three shooters and several members of the delegation's mission staff were scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Wednesday.
"We cannot put (athletes) in rooms unless we are confident they are safe and healthy," Canadian chef de mission Martha Deacon told CTV news channel.
"The (Games) village is a challenge. A great variety of rooms and towers in the village need some significant, very rushed last minute work. There are some rooms in the buildings and towers that, with great effort in the next several days, may be acceptable to our athletes," he said.
Commonwealth Games Canada officials said their advance team in India found construction sites strewn with debris and human excrement and toilets not flushing.
They said the collapse of a pedestrian bridge near the main Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the attack on two foreign tourists in Delhi and fears of an outbreak of dengue fever have heightened their concern about the safety of athletes.
Commonwealth Games Canada president Andrew Pipe said Wednesday that he was only "cautiously optimistic" about improvement in living conditions at the Games' village.
"We are working closely with our national sport organisation partners, and some of them have decided to delay their departures," he told the news channel.
"All of that logistical work is ongoing, and in response to what we find on the ground. Clearly we have had to deal with some very specific and very unique challenges - challenges which, unfortunately, we have been talking about for months with the Indian authorities."
(With inputs from IANS)
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