With safety issues about the facilities finally resolved, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief executive Mike Hooper has said that it is the 5,000 competitors who will judge whether the event has lived up to the claim by Delhi 2010 chairman Suresh Kalmadi that the Games will be better than the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

"This is not for me or anybody else to judge whether this will be the best ever Games," said Hooper.

"Only athletes can tell that.

"Thereafter we will say whether it is better than Manchester [in 2002] or Melbourne [in 2006]."

Hooper still has concerns about the preparations, which have been overshadowed by construction delays, concerns about terrorism and corruption allegations, but believes organisers are on the right track.

"I will only be satisfied [at the Closing Ceremony] on October 14 when athletes from around the world will have broad smile on their faces and will take back good memories of the Delhi Games," he said.

"I hope we will deliver successful Games after all the drama."

Hooper said that after receiving the "Venue Completion Certificates" emphasis is now on operational part of the event and all the related agencies are working together to make the Games, which are due to open on October 3, success.

"We got the Venue Completion Certificate on Monday evening and now are focusing on the operational part of the Games," he said.

"There should be proper mechanism in place.

"If any problem occurs, it should be solved at the venue itself.

"Besides, there will also be Games operation centre and Games time management group which will meet on daily basis.

"Progress has been slow but everything seems to be on track now.

"Nevertheless, minor problems will always be there till the opening ceremony.

"It happens everywhere.

"It happened in Manchester, Melbourne and other Games venues as well.

"Delhi is not an exception."

Hooper is scheduled to inspect the Games Village tomorrow, on the eve of the opening.

"[The] Games Village will be opening on September 16 and I will visit the place with the CGF team," he said.

"To say that venues are not ready is utter nonsense and unfair.

"Only the superficials are to be done.

"We want Delhi to look more beautiful and I am confident that everything will be in place before October 3."

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