Commonwealth Games Canada delays departures for athletes and support staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, September 22, 2010 – Due to ongoing concerns about health and safety conditions within the Athletes Village for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) today announced that scheduled departures for the first wave of athletes, coaches and support staff have been delayed.

The women’s field hockey team and two shooting athletes, who were scheduled to leave Canada Thursday evening, will remain in Canada for at least two more days. Their precise travel arrangements have not yet been finalized.

“The bottom line is that the accommodations in the Athletes Village simply aren’t ready,” said Scott Stevenson, CGC’s Director of Sport. “We’re working extremely hard with local authorities to get the finishing work and the clean-up done, but it’s going to take more time. More importantly, we have not received the official clearance from the Host Organizing Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation that the Village is ready for its official opening.”

In addition, about a dozen members of Team Canada’s Mission Staff – medical professionals, operations experts and communications staff – some of whom were due to leave today, have also had their travel plans delayed for at least 48 hours.

“The decision to delay departures is part of our contingency planning,” added Stevenson. “And we remain cautiously optimistic that if the pace of work in the Village continues at its current rate, we’ll be in a position to start welcoming athletes and coaches within the next 72 hours.”

Dr. Andrew Pipe, President of Commonwealth Games Canada, reiterated that the organization is steadfastly committed to the health and safety of all Team Canada members. “We are working carefully, continuously and comprehensively with a variety of agencies, organizations, government bodies, and security professionals in order to remain abreast of every aspect of the Games organization and environment that might affect the well-being of team members,” he said. “And we’re doing everything we can to keep everybody updated and reassured.”

Derek Johnston
Commonwealth Games Canada Communications
(613) 837-3377
[email protected]

Jackie DeSouza
Team Canada Communications, Delhi 2010 
(416) 997-5006
[email protected]