Scotland Delay Delhi Departure

Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) announced today that Team Scotland’s first party of 41 athletes and staff due to travel to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi tomorrow (Thursday 23 September), has been delayed follwoing concerns that a significant part of the Athletes’ Village Residential Zone is not in an acceptable standard in terms of health, safety and hygiene. Dominic McKay, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, said: Player safety and welfare is of paramount importance to Scottish Rugby and we agree with the decision taken by CGS to delay our departure for Delhi based on concerns relating to the health, safety and hygiene of the Athletes’ Village and security… Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) announced today that Team Scotland’s first party of 41 athletes and staff due to travel to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi tomorrow (Thursday 23 September), has been delayed follwoing concerns that a significant part of the Athletes’ Village Residential Zone is not in an acceptable standard in terms of health, safety and hygiene. Dominic McKay, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, said: Player safety and welfare is of paramount importance to Scottish Rugby and we agree with the decision taken by CGS to delay our departure for Delhi based on concerns relating to the health, safety and hygiene of the Athletes’ Village and security.  We will be liaising with CGS to seek assurances that all outstanding issues in respect of the Athletes’ Village are resolved to our satisfaction. All of our players are focussed on their performance and arrangements are being made to facilitate their preparation between now and their departure. Confirming the decision Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of CGS, said: “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 by both the Commonwealth Games Federation and the countries which arrived early. “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 the Games Village which is not yet fit for purpose and fully functional. “Scotland is hugely committed to the Commonwealth Games. 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.”