Race to Finish Commonwealth Games Village

(ATR) Organizers of the Commonwealth Games scrambled to clean up the athletes' village and complete other facilities as hundreds of athletes began arriving today in New Delhi.

Reports from India say more than half of the 4,000 rooms are ready, with New Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit claiming the remaining 1600 rooms will be finished Wednesday.

The most pressing issue for organizers is to get the lifts in 10 of the 34 accommodation towers functioning properly; they have been out of order because of waterlogged basements, according to reports.

"We inherited a very difficult situation, but it's improving almost by the hour," she was quoted as saying by the Associated Press Monday. "We are racing against time, no doubt about it, but we will perform."

Commonwealth Games organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi insisted today that all major issues associated with the athletes' village had been addressed and most of the flats were ready for athletes.

"People are now happy with whatever they have got. Over a 1000 people have come now and they are very happy. Most of the athletes are happy," Kalmadi was quoted by the Press Trust of India.

"80 per cent of the flats are fine. The sun is out and everything will be fine. All the athletes are happy," he said.

Despite a number of complaints about conditions at the athletes' village from some participating countries, Games organizers were buoyed by comments made today by leaders of delegations from Australia and Kenya who voiced their satisfaction with facilities. England has also given the thumbs-up.

Australia's chef de mission Steve Moneghetti, a former marathon gold medallist, told the Australian media that in 25 years of staying in athletes' villages, it was as good as he had ever seen.

"The team was very happy and rooms were very spacious. Excellent food, excellent facilities, he [Moneghetti] is very happy," Australian press attache John Gatfield was quoted by the Press Trust of India, dismissing fears of a dengue epidemic.

Pictures of the filthy conditions at the village have been shown in television and press coverage of the build-up to the Games in recent days.

Health and security concerns or injuries have led to the withdrawal of a number of high-profile athletes, dealing a further blow to India.

But Kenya's chef de mission Jonathan Koskei claimed the clean-up campaign and last-minute preparations to competition and training venues were improving conditions "hour by hour".

"We are happy with the facilities, that is why we are here," Koskei was quoted by The Times of India.

Nearly 600 athletes are scheduled to arrive in New Delhi today, the largest from South Africa who have sent 113 athletes. Delegations from Scotland Scotland, England, New Zealand, Wales, Namibia, Canada and a number of Caribbean countries are also descending on the city.

India's security measures for the Games kicked in today, with armed commandos in helicopters patrolling the athletes' village and competition venues. Huge numbers of Delhi Police, paramilitary forces and the National Security Guard are also being deployed during the Games.

Around 7,000 athletes and officials from 71 countries and taking part in the Commonwealth Games, which run from Oct. 3 to 14.

Withreporting from Mark Bisson

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