27 Sep : Around 550 athletes and officials from countries such as Australia, Canada and England arrived in Delhi on Monday to participate in the Commonwealth Games 2010.
The largest contingent is from South Africa with 113 athletes and officials, followed by Scotland with 77 athletes and officials those who arrive on Monday
Among the other large contingents arriving are those of England (61), Australia (59) and Canada (30).
Apart from these, officials and athletes from New Zealand, Wales, Namibia, Jamaica, Botswana, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Kiribati and others are also arriving on Monday.
In addition, Chefs-de-Mission of Niue Island, Malawi and St. Vincent & The Grenadines, apart from a large international media contingent are arriving to cover Delhi 2010.
The first batch of Australian athletes have already arrived early on Monday morning hoping to remain unaffected by the troubled build-up to the event.
Later on Monday, Australia’s netball and gymnastics teams will also land here for the 3rd-14th October event.
1100 international athletes arrive for Games
Foreign contingents continued to drop in with nearly 1100 athletes, officials and technical staff from different nations arriving on Sunday for the October 3rd -14th Commonwealth Games.
The largest contingent to arrive was a 112-member delegation from Kenya, followed by Nigeria (69), and 60 members from Scotland, a release from the Organising Committee (OC) said.
Canada, Tanzania, Lesotho, Norfolk Island, Rwanda, Wales, England, Isle of Man, Jersey, Bermuda, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and British Virgin Islands were among other arrivals.
Some 100 more athletes from Norfolk Islands and Canada are expected to arrive later on Sunday night.
“Work has progressed far enough now and we’re ready to start moving in to the Village,” said Scott Stevenson, Director of Sport, Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC).
“All the necessary maintenance and cleaning of rooms have been done to accommodate our team and additional support staff,” Stevenson said.
Stevenson also confirmed that emergency equipment and safety procedures have been verified and tested. “Crews have been successful in reducing the amount of stagnant water around the residential towers. Things are starting to look good,” he said.
“The residential towers have been a huge challenge for us, but I’m happy to say that theyre finally falling in place.”
A group of 35 Canadian support staff was due to move in to the village on Sunday while about 40 athletes and coaches from women’s gymnastics, shooting, table tennis and men’s hockey are scheduled to arrive on Monday.
Stevenson said that Canadian sport science experts, after visiting the competition venues, have given positive reports. “With the accommodation now coming together, we can focus of our energies on the real business at hand, which is to help our athletes achieve best-ever performances.”
Canada is sending a team of 400 athletes, coaches and support staff to the Games.