Commonwealth Games: We're going

New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary-general Barry Maister (L) and president Mike Stanley continue to monitor the situation. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealanders will begin to move into the Commonwealth Games village on Tuesday.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee made the decision to proceed as planned after yesterday's special board meeting and after encouraging reports on progress in the past 24 hours from Delhi.

NZOC president Mike Stanley and secretary-general Barry Maister made the announcement last night, but left the door open to alter their thinking. They still have concerns around the condition of some of the residential blocks and with the security of athletes while in transit between the village and venues.

"We are very conscious of our responsibility as a board and athlete health and safety is our over-riding concern," Stanley said. "There remains a lot of work to be done in the residential areas and the clock is ticking."

The NZOC had sent numerous advance parties to Delhi in the past two years, but when asked why the crisis had not been picked up until a week ago, Stanley deflected the blame to the Delhi Organising Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation. "It is deeply regrettable that the Organising Committee hasn't responded effectively ... and in saying that there has to be some criticism levelled at the Commonwealth Games Federation for letting this situation develop. "Our team has done its very best to rectify the situation."

Prime Minister John Key, whose diplomatic credentials are more noteworthy than his sporting achievements, announced last night that, if he were an athlete, he would go to Delhi.

It is a sentiment former world scratch race champion Greg Henderson did not share after yesterday pulling out of the Games, citing health and family reasons. He joins Tour de France rider Julian Dean who withdrew from consideration before the team was selected due to "exhaustion".

Henderson, 33, who was due to compete at his fourth Commonwealth Games, joined four teammates from his paymasters Team Sky - Britons Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh, Ian Standard and Ben Swift - who earlier withdrew.

The former Dunedin cyclist said he had to weigh up whether he would feel comfortable about his daughter or wife being in Delhi and the answer he came up with was no.

"That's regrettable for Greg and the cycling contingent," Stanley said. "We feel for the athletes at this time. It is a time of uncertainty for them."

Henderson's decision is unlikely to snowball, with two-time Olympic medallist Hayden Roulston saying he still intended to be there.

"It's disappointing and quite unbelievable we are even having to consider whether we go to the Games or not, but I'm really keen to wear New Zealand colours and love racing for my country," Roulston said.

Steve Tew, Rugby Union chief executive, said the sevens side had the "luxury, if that's the right word", in being able to see how the first five days of the event unfolded before the team was due to enter the village.

Tew said the NZRU would watch how the event unfolded and had the ability to make a call before the team got on the plane to Delhi. His thoughts were echoed by Netball NZ boss Raelene Castle who reserved the right to hold the team in Singapore if she felt conditions in Delhi were unsatisfactory.

"I'm comfortable to let them go to Singapore. From there we'll reassess and if we're not happy with anything we still have the option of putting them on a plane home," Castle said.

"We've still got concerns around hygiene, security, dengue fever all that sort of stuff so we need to be reassured that all over those areas have been brought up to an acceptable level before we send a team in."

The netball venue has come under scrutiny, having been constructed by the same company that built the footbridge that collapsed this week. Castle has few fears on this matter.

"From conversations I've had overnight it sounds like it's looking pretty good. The stadium was one of the first buildings up and running so it's been standing for the longest."

As far as the threat of terrorism goes, the NZOC said that while the "general" risk was high in India, "there was no direct threat to the Commonwealth Games".