NZ officials impose strict rules on athletes
New Zealand athletes who plan to see tourist attractions in New Delhi during the Commonwealth Games will not be allowed to do so.
New Zealand chef-de-mission Dave Currie said no athlete will be permitted to get out of a secured area that covers the athletes’ village and competition venues.
"One of the things about coming to a Games is enjoying the country you're in. That won't be happening this time," he said.
Currie said the measure will disappoint many athletes but they have no choice.
"We'll talk to the athletes and their managers. It's something we're just going to have to deal with. Most countries will take the same view as we are ... there are still some concerns round markets or
soft targets," said Currie.
Security is one of the biggest concerns for participating nations in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games after the recent shooting of two Taiwanese tourists in a popular area in the Indian capital. Organisers
have deployed thousands of police officers and army personnel throughout New Delhi to look after the safety of competitors.
Meanwhile, Currie said that they are now satisfied with the accommodations at the athletes’ village.
"It's not a five-star hotel, but it's certainly clean and tidy. There's no doubt when you come to the New Zealand part of the village that it's a bit of Aotearoa," he said.
Commonwealth Games officials earlier described the athletes’ village as "unliveable" after conducting an inspection. India's hosting of the Commonwealth Games was heavily criticised after officials from
participating nations discovered that the accommodation facilities were filthy and poorly-built.
The collapse of a footbridge near the main stadium and the discovery of stray dogs and snakes in the rooms added to the host nation's woes. A dengue outbreak in New Delhi also turned off many participating
countries. As a result, many world-class athletes opted to skip the quadrennial meet, which opens on Sunday.
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