Serious doubts loom over Commonwealth Games

Squalid living conditions in the athletes' village have cast serious doubt on whether New Zealand will compete in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, which are due to start in 11 days.

As officials from the New Zealand Olympic Committee, which will make the final decision, flew to India yesterday to review the situation, the Commonwealth Games Federation called the athletes' village "seriously compromised".

Team delegates from New Zealand, Canada, Scotland and Ireland have reportedly described the accommodation as "unliveable".

Last night, the rush to have the venues ready suffered another setback when a footbridge being built to link a parking area and the main Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi collapsed, injuring 23 people.

The 300-strong New Zealand contingent of athletes and officials have been allocated new quarters, but New Zealand officials already in India had to hire cleaners to get those quarters up to scratch.

Federation president Michael Fennell yesterday issued a strongly worded statement: "Many nations that have already sent their advance parties to set up within the village have made it abundantly clear that, as of the afternoon of September 20, the Commonwealth Games Village is seriously compromised.

"The condition of the residential zone has shocked the majority that are in Delhi and, despite their attempts to work with the Organising Committee in a constructive manner since arriving on September 15, significant matters remain unaddressed."

Security concerns have also been raised after an attack on a tourist bus at the weekend, in which two Taiwanese tourists were shot.

Mr Fennell said security matters remained on track, but with the athletes' village set to open tomorrow, he called for urgent action to resolve the problem of accommodation.

Prime Minister John Key yesterday played down suggestions that the situation was so dire that the New Zealand team might not compete, but he stressed that the final decision was for the NZ Olympic Committee.

"I wouldn't say that means the Commonwealth Games would be off. I think they are trying very hard to resolve those issues."

The health and hygiene issues were not "insurmountable", but time was running out.

Problems with the initial buildings allocated to New Zealand athletes included plumbing, wiring, internet access and mobile phone coverage.

The Times of India reported that the apartments, which are left unlocked through the day and night, were dirty and labourers had defecated in some flats.

New Zealand was unlikely to withdraw from the Games if other countries such as Australia or Great Britain decided to stay and compete, Mr Key said.

New Zealand athletes are due to begin arriving in New Delhi from Saturday.

The NZ Olympic Committee board will meet on Friday to discuss whether the team should withdraw, though a decision may not be made until next week.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's website last night said there was "some risk" in New Delhi "due to the threat from terrorism and we strongly advise caution".

"Recent terrorist attacks have targeted public places that are frequented by Western tourists. Further attacks cannot be ruled out, including in large cities and popular tourist destinations."