Kenya says they'll be in India for the Commonwealth Games
Kenya has announced that they will be sending their full team of 240 to the Commonwealth Games despite the recent difficulties Delhi has seen while preparing for the Games.
While some Kenyan athletes had already dropped out due to injury, or to rest for next year’s busy season, none have dropped out of the Games because of recent health and safety issues.
Notable Kenyan athletes that will miss the games include: 800m world record holder David Rudisha, defending women’s 800m champion Janeth Jepkosgei, 2007 world marathon champion Luke Kibet, and African 5000m champion Edwin Soi. All four of these athletes
have pulled out because of injury or fatigue.
"Kenyans should not join a team of pessimists but go and bring glory to our country. As a strong member of the Commonwealth, Kenya should show solidarity with India by honouring the Games," said Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.
The Games are scheduled to start on 3 October, but a rash of issues are threatening a delay, or worse. First heavier than normal monsoons caused a greater than normal mosquito population which in turn caused outbreaks of dengue fever, malaria, and swine
flu.
Last weekend two tourists were shot at a popular Delhi tourist attraction. The tourists were not facing life threatening injuries, but the attack still prompted Dani Samuels of Australia to withdrawal from the Games.
Earlier this week a bridge that was supposed to be used by athletes and spectators to gain access to a main venue collapsed, injuring at least 23 people. The collapse raised concerns that unfinished work is being rushed, and not done properly.
That concern was further increased after early visits to the athlete’s village revealed that many of the rooms have incomplete electrical wiring, or are full of debris. Many toilets are also said to either not work or leak.
Kenya is part of a growing list of countries that has reiterated their intention to participate in the Games, while some countries are still debating their attendance.
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