The road to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi has been littered with difficulties - delays in the construction of the stadiums, problems with the Athletes' Village and training facilities, allegations of corruption, an outbreak of dengue fever and security concerns.
The XIX Commonwealth Games was billed as a "coming out party" for the newly cash-rich India when it was awarded to Delhi in 2003. The Indian government saw the Games as a chance to showcase its new technology and abilities, and kick-start its ambition to host the 2020 Olympics.
But for the Games organisers and the Indian government it has been a case of whatever can go wrong, will.
The Games is seen as so controversial, a number of high-profile athletes have pulled out, including Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and Shelly-Ann Fraser, the world record holder middle distance runner David Rudisha from Kenya, Scottish cyclist Sir Christopher Hoy and Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice.
Just two weeks before the Games were due to start, the English athletics squad was rocked by the late withdrawal of star athletes Phillips Idowu, Christine Ohuruogu and Lisa Dobriskey, who were expected to defend their 2006 Commonwealth titles.
Cyclist Gary Henderson and tennis player Ellen Barry are the only New Zealand athletes to withdraw from the Games, citing personal and security reasons.
Even the Queen will not attend the Games, instead sending Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, as her representatives.
Building delays
More than a year overdue, the final completion certificates for the stadiums and the Athletes' Village were finally handed to the Commonwealth Games Federation on 6 September, nine days before the first athletes were due to arrive and just 27 days before the beginning of the Games.
However, two weeks out from the Opening Ceremony, the Indian preparations were thrown into further disarray with widespread concern and criticism of the condition of the Athletes' Village and the collapse of a pedestrian bridge near the main stadium during construction, injuring 23 people. Part of the ceiling at the weightlifting venue also came down, but has been repaired.
After visiting the Athletes' Village, Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell described the facility as "seriously compromised", with significant operational matters remaining yet to be dealt with.
New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie also criticised the facility, describing conditions as "sub-standard" and "inhabitable", with issues including cleanliness, plumbing, wiring, internet access and mobile phone coverage of concern. His comments prompted New Zealand Olympic Committee president Mike Stanley and secretary-general Barry Maister to make a flying visit to Delhi.
The facilities were also roundly criticised by Australia, Wales, Scotland, Canada and Northern Ireland, with management demanding hotels be made available for athletes if the Games Village could not be finished in time.
The New Zealand squad was given an alternative apartment building after voicing its concerns, while the Scottish team delayed its departure for Delhi to allow time for the facilities to be cleaned.
Construction work fast-tracked
Organisers had set a deadline for completion a year out from the beginning of the Games in order to allow time to test the facilities and fix any discrepancies. However, that deadline was steadily delayed amid allegations of poor construction and planning, labour abuses and financial irregularities.
Since August, when a government-appointed commission stepped in, construction work has been fast-tracked to the point that athletes will now train and perform in hurriedly-constructed venues, including some that remain half-built.
Delhi's labour laws have also been called into question, with reports that 42 workers have been killed in construction site accidents. Another 16 have died in the rush to ensure the new Metro system is completed. Conditions for workers have been criticised, with concerns raised over low wages, poor safety and inadequate accommodation for employees and their families.
Much of the city's planned beautification works such as landscaping and road improvements have also been put on hold. In some cases where work had already begun, panels have been erected to shield construction from public view.
Another problem is the quality of roading in the city, with more than 20 street cave-ins reported during the Commonwealth Games construction period.
Security
Safety remains a major concern in Delhi following a double bomb blast at an Indian Premier League cricket match in Bangalore in April in which 14 people were injured.
In February, an al Qaeda threat warned athletes to stay away from the Commonwealth Games. The warning followed the 2008 co-ordinated terrorist attacks on hotels, hospitals and train stations in Mumbai, which resulted in the deaths of 174 people.
Of further concern for Commonwealth Games officials was the non-fatal shooting of two Taiwanese tourists outside a temple in Delhi two weeks before the Games were due to start.
However, the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee remains confident that safety plans are in accordance with best international practice, with security to be provided at the Athletes' Village and stadiums, and as the athletes travel to the venues.
More than 80,000 policemen and 175,000 paramilitary are to be deployed throughout Delhi and some 2000 close-circuit cameras installed.
Indian media report the Indian Air Force is also supplying three helicopters to monitor airspace over Delhi and police are training staff in the use of 80 radiation meters designed to identify nuclear materials.
Dengue fever
Delhi's health authorities are struggling as an outbreak of dengue fever affects the city. More than 1,600 people have been reported as suffering symptoms. The disease, which is spread by mosquitoes, has been made worse by prolonged monsoon rains.
Of key concern is the Athletes' Village, which is located near the Yamuna riverbed. During the monsoon, the Yamuna flooded but waters have since retreated, leaving behind pools of stagnant water.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has warned that the disease will peak in the city in September and October.
Corruption
The Delhi Games has been beset by allegations of corruption, with financial irregularities suspected in at least 16 projects associated with the Games, according to a report in July issued by the Indian government's anti-corruption regulator.
The Central Vigilance Commission inspected a number of roadway projects and sporting venues, and found substandard concrete and steel works and that, in some cases, regulatory approvals for the work had been forged.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has vowed that those found guilty of irregularities will be punished after the close of the Commonwealth Games.
In August, three top officials were fired over their role in the awarding of a contract for services during the London launch of the Queen's Baton Relay.
The organising committee's treasurer was also forced to resign amid allegations his son's firm was given a contract to help build the tennis courts at the Delhi Games.
Withdrawal of sponsors and spiralling costs
Two key sponsors withdrew their backing for the Games in August over concerns about the negative publicity the event was attracting.
The National Thermal Power Corporation, India's largest power generation utility, withheld payment of 300 million rupees and requested a government audit of the 200 million rupees it had already paid out in sponsorship fees.
The Power Grid Corporation of India also withdrew its support, refusing to pay a promised 100 million rupees in sponsorship. The official merchandiser also pulled out, claiming delays in launching products were incurring high losses.
Delhi appears to be the costliest Commonwealth Games yet, with costs spiralling well beyond the original budget.
In May, the Times of India reported that official cost estimates had increased by 525%, while unofficial estimates place the escalation at 1575% - more than 15 times than originally budgeted. Expenditure is now placed at about $NZ3.4 billion, compared to the Melbourne Games in 2006 which cost $NZ1.5 billion.
Ticketing embarrassment
Even the sale and distribution of the Commonwealth Games tickets has not gone smoothly. Tickets were due to go on sale at 9am on 25 August, but hundreds of people queuing outside outlets were turned away empty-handed when the tickets failed to arrive. They were finally delivered at 7pm that night. Games organisers said "system maintenance" was to blame for the delay.
