Injury forces third Kiwi player to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games
A third Kiwi athlete has pulled out of the multi discipline Commonwealth Games although tennis star Marcus Daniell is citing injury rather than security concerns as the cause of his withdrawal on Friday.
Marcus succumbed to a back injury which has dogged the New Zealander through the second half of this season, reducing the total number of athletes from New Zealand to 191 and leaving his doubles partner Rubin Statham to contest
just in singles at the Games in Delhi.
As a result of this decision he has joined his compatriot tennis player Ellen Barry along with Greg Henderson, who is a cyclist, in withdrawing from the crisis hit Delhi event although the decision for the latter pair was related
to hygiene and security issues in the athlete’s village.
Marcus told reporters that he was really looking forward to taking part in the event, however earlier on Wednesday he informed Tennis New Zealand about the possibility of him pulling out due to health and fitness issues. Marcus
is most popular for capturing the doubles crown at this season's Heineken Open in Auckland.
Ellen's withdrawal leaves only two players to play the Games' singles. Dave Currie, who is chef de mission of the New Zealand side, however didn’t expect any further withdrawals.
"It is a personal decision that people have to make we have had no indication that any more are not coming. We understand and respect the fact that a couple have decided they don't want to be up here. The general sense is that
those who are here are excited to be here and want to be here,” he said on Friday.
Currie said that the advance party had felt a huge responsibility to make sure that the athletes had a secure environment, and sports and athletes had put faith in their judgment.
One player who was not convinced was Barry, who in the morning said she relied on her gut instinct in deciding to withdraw.
"It was a really difficult decision, I thought about it for a long time. I was just concerned for my health and safety. I know a lot of athletes will be going, but for me it felt like the right decision,” added Barry.
Barry, who enjoys a career highest singles ranking of number 253 in the world, said that she had put a lot of thought into her withdrawal decision from Delhi event which is going to start from Oct 3rd.
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