Extensive work remains to be done, insists CWG Fennell

Workers hang a rainbow-coloured banner on an overbridge arch near the Nehru Stadium, the main Commonwealth Games venue, in New Delhi on Saturday.

While acknowledging that a "massive" effort had been made in recent days to address the multiple problems surrounding the October 3-14 event, Fennell voiced concerns on a wide range of issues including athletes' security. "The work left to be done is quite extensive," said Fennell. Addressing a press briefing in the Indian capital, he said there was a particular problem with water in the basements of the residential towers.

"There's a lot of work to be done in the Games. It's not over yet," he said, listing problems with transport, security arrangements, fire and evacuation issues and medical services. "What is clear is that the massive work that is being done now ought to have been done before," he said.

The Games, aimed at highlighting India's ambitions as an emerging superpower, had seemed on the brink of collapse a few days ago, amid worries about security, a bridge falling down and complaints about the "filthy" state of the village.

While arguing that it was now time to celebrate the athletes who were taking part, Fennell acknowledged that the fiasco of recent weeks had badly impacted India's international image. "I think a lot of damage has been done to India as a country. People are questioning whether we should have come to India," he said. "I would hope that at the end of all of this, India would have learned a great lesson and we also would have learned a great lesson working with a country like India."

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