The news comes shortly after Team Scotland announced that they have delayed their departure to India because of problems with the Athletes’ Village and the collapse of a footbridge linking the main stadium to a car park which injured 23 people.

The roof collapse was followed by a portion of false ceiling in the weightlifting arena collapsing today though organisers have dismissed it as a "minor" incident.

Welsh officials have stated that they must hear from the Delhi Organising Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) by 1700 BST and warned that the nation’s team would not travel to India if their concerns were not addressed.

A Team Wales statement said: "The health and safety of our team has always been our top priority which is why we’ve been so desperate to resolve the issues in the Games Village.

"With yesterday’s news of the bridge collapse and now the roof of the weightlifting venue, we have to take a step back and examine how safe it is to bring athletes into this environment.

"We have given the Organising Committee a deadline of this evening to confirm if all venues and the Games Village are fit for purpose.

"On the basis of that announcement, we will be contacting athletes via our team managers and advise them of the latest position and will issue a further update."

Team Wales have said that they will not be making any further announcements until tomorrow.

Foster (pictured right with Delhi 2010 chairman Suresh Kalmadi) also raised further doubts over England’s participation at the event.

He told the BBC: "I think the next 24 to 48 hours is the critical time which will tell us whether the Village, which is where the main problem is now, has got enough accommodation for everybody to come into it.

"I think we’re at an absolutely vital time [regarding] whether the major teams go.

"Our staff have been round all 17 sports venues and they are in good order, so the key remaining feature which there's a problem with is the Village.

"The other problems have been resolved.

"It’s a situation that hangs on a knife-edge."

Meanwhile, despite Team Scotland announcing that they had delayed their travel to Delhi, Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman Michael Cavanagh said the country remained "hugely committed" to the event but believed urgent action was required.

He said "The Village is right now not fit to receive 6,500 athletes, which is due to happen within the next seven days.

"Part of the Village is in a very poor condition and a very poor state of maintenance.

"There have been dogs roaming around the village, the apartments are filthy and there are piles of rubble lying around."

Northern Ireland added that they still plan to depart for Delhi next Monday (September 27) as a statement from the team said: "Health and safety of our athletes is paramount but we remain positive and await information first hand."

South Africa have announced their intention to compete in Delhi with South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) President Gideon Sam stating the team "will be boarding a plane on Sunday (September 26) as planned" while the Isle of Man have claimed that the welfare of the athletes will be at the heart of any decision over travelling to Delhi.

Australian Federal Sports Minister Mark Arbib said he is "confident" that the team will compete in India while New Zealand, who have been extremely vocal in their criticism of the Athletes Village, are still in limbo.

New Zealand Swimming's high performance manager Jan Cameron even revealed that Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Canada had discussed plans for a replacement swimming meet at a location outside if it became necessary but added that she does not "expect it to come to that".

Canada have stated their concerns about competing in India with Commonwealth Games Canada's director of sport Scott Stevenson stating: "We are deeply concerned that the condition of the residence facilities is not at all what we expected, nor anything like what was promised.

"We are working very closely with Games organizers, the CGF, the Canadian High Commission, and our colleagues from other countries to try to resolve these issues as thoroughly and as efficiently as possible."

India had hoped that the Commonwealth Games would showcase the country as an emerging power in the international community and would be a launch pad for a successful bid for the 2020 Olympic Games.

However, that goal now appears unlikely following continued health and safety fears, allegations of corruption, high profile boycotts, disappointing ticket sales and the soaring cost of construction.

The cost of putting on Delhi 2010 has made it the most expensive Commonwealth Games in history, with some estimates ranging up to $10 billion, as organisers attempt to complete work which only began in 2008.

The Government though, has insisted that everything will be ready for the arrival of the athletes and organising committee secretary-general Lalit Bhanot insisted the situation was under control.

He said: "We have started work in the 32 [residential] towers and will complete it before the arrival of the athletes.

"In fact, we have cleaned apartments in more than 60 per cent of the towers."

But despite the claims of Bhanot, CGF President Mike Fennell has requested an urgent meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as soon as he arrives in Delhi tomorrow.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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