23 Sep 2010

Athlete arrivals to be delayed

2:27 pm on 23 September 2010

It looks as if New Zealand will be going to to the Commonwealth Games, although athletes are being advised to delay travel to Delhi until next Tuesday.

The lawn bowls, hockey and badminton teams were to be first in this weekend but the New Zealand Olympic Committee says it's now clear the Games Village won't be ready.

The NZOC president Mike Stanley and Secretary General Barry Maister return today from Delhi, where they spent 27 hours.

Stanley says they know how hard this must be for athletes and are continuing to push for an urgent resolution as it's not a matter of comfort or luxury, it's a matter of hygiene and safety.

Chef de Mission Dave Currie says there are still issues with plumbing, wiring and leaks.

NZOC logistics teams are now working with sports to reschedule flights .

The first athletes to arrive under the revised plan are the gymnastic, archery, weightlifting, synchronized swimming and boxing teams.

They're on scheduled flights on Tuesday with bowls, badminton and women's hockey now scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.