By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

September 16 - The Athletes' Village for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi has been officially opened and described as "better than the Beijing Olympics" by Craig Hunter, the Chef de Mission for England's team.



Indian officials have been claiming for several months now that  some of the facilities for the New Delhi Games will be as good as what the world watched in awe at Beijing two years ago.

"It is spectacular," said Hunter, who is in the Indian capital preparing for the arrival of England's team on September 23.

"You should be proud of what you have got.

"Every Games Village has progressed and this sets a new standard.

"This Village is better than the Beijing Olympics.

"You have given us a challenge for the London 2012."

The Village has 4,000 bedrooms spread across 34 towers, with four million square feet of constructed area.

The apartments ranging from two to five bedroom units (1,400 sq ft to 3,500 sq ft) will house more than 7,000 athletes and officials during the Games, which is due to open on October 3.

"The apartments are spacious and well furnished," said Hunter.

"They are of high quality.

"The surroundings are lush green and beautiful.

"I have seen other Games Villages where there were one bathroom for four athletes.

"Here two athletes share one bathroom.

"Also, to have such a training facility at the Village itself is amazing.

"It will be a comfortable stay at the Village.

"I have been coming here in last 18 months and I have seen the Village grow.

"There are bits and pieces to be done, but that happens before the start of every Games.

"We are here in advance to check out everything before the athletes arrive."

Hunter was also confident that the Village would be secure from a terrorist attack.

"We are happy with the [security] arrangements and I can say that the pullouts of the players were not due to security or any other reasons," he said.

"Security has always been an issue since 1972 Munich Olympic disaster.

"We are bringing 371 athletes and it is one of the largest contingents England have sent overseas.

"Some of the athletes, who opted out did so due to packed international calendar and injuries.

"There has been no pullout due to security

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