Mike Hooper, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), revealed that they still have to receive confirmation from the Organising Committee that the Athletes Village or any of the venues are structurally safe and that they were not prepared to take the risk of using them until they receive the necessary documentation and guarantees that they would not place anyone in danger if events are held there.  

The first batch of the 5,000 athletes due to compete in the Games are scheduled to begin arriving in the Indian capital next week and due up residence in the Village.

"Things are surely going to go down to the wire," said Hooper.

"It's a battle against time. If the Organising Committee failed to provide the safety certifications on time, if we can't get the documentation of the Games village and the venues on time, then a particular event or so may be in trouble."

In late July, India's anti-corruption watchdog dropped a bombshell by citing suspected dodgy building practices at a number of Games' venues and accusations that construction firms have inflated their costs.

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) inspected 15 roadway and sporting venues and found substandard concrete and steel works, and evidence that regulatory approvals had been forged.

The CGF responded, requiring the Indian Government to provide building certificates by August 18 that confirm all of the venues are safe to operate.

India missed that deadline, promising it would provide all of the required documentation by August 31, but failed to do so, adding to fears that they would not be ready on time.

The CGF have now issued a veiled threat that India is facing huge embarrassment by having events like athletics cancelled.

"Whether it's about venue safety at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium or any other stadium, clearly we are all aware of the CVC report last month and implications of that report suggests sub-standard materials and fabricated case results," said Hooper.

"That's a matter of concern to us."

Besides athletics, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is also due to stage the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, bowls and weightlifting.

"Despite many promises made by the Government agencies to deliver the documentation to validate and verify all the buildings standards have been met, fire safety certificates have been issued, we [the CGF] still have not been able to get them and that still remains a cause of great concern to us," said Hooper.

"You can't occupy the venue unless you have building completion certificates.

"People are due to arrive at the Games Village from September 16.

"They can't occupy the Games village unless the building certification is not there.

"They can't go to the venue unless venues certification is not there."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected] 


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