Delhi Commonwealth Games likely to go ahead

Delhi Commonwealth Games likely to go ahead : Fears that the Commonwealth Games might be called off are receding after a number of teams accepted assurances from organisers - but yet more individual athletes have pulled out of the event.The first England team athletes flew out to New Delhi while Wales confirmed they will send their team, and Scotland said they had been heartened by organisers' statements.

The hockey team are to initially be based elsewhere in the Indian capital before moving to the Games village but team captain Barry Middleton told the BBC: "It doesn't matter to us. We knew things were going on in the village. We've heard it'll be ready and I think we'll be in the village in a few days." On the downside, four leading British cyclists who all ride for Team Sky announced they have withdrawn due to worries over health.

However the Games appears to have been pulled back from the brink of collapse after a series of guarantees were made about safety and improvements to the athletes' village, and the Delhi Government, under the leadership of chief minister Sheila Dikshit, agreed to put in place "concerted action" to resolve the problems.

In a statement, the Wales team said: "We are delighted that Team Wales have received the assurances that they were looking for in order to compete in the Commonwealth Games. We know how much this means to all our athletes heading out there as an opportunity to compete in the Welsh jersey.

"We would like to pay tribute to the work of the advance party in Delhi in what has been a difficult week for them. We look forward to now cheering on our athletes as they look to bring home medals for Wales."

The big issue for the Games now looks to concern individual athletes - track and field stars Phillips Idowu and Christine Ohuruogu pulled out early this week, to be followed on Thursday by cyclists Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh, Ian Stannard and Ben Swift.