Fennell defends Delhi decision

Commonwealth Games chief Mike Fennell has defended the decision to award the Games to Delhi.

Games organisers have come under fire over the rush to complete preparations at venues and the standard of accommodation in the Games Village.

And a string of high profile athletes have voted with their feet by opting to pull out of the event.

But Commonwealth Games Federation president Fennell insists he has no regrets over choosing Delhi to host the Games, which open on Sunday.

“We have to take these journeys or you will confine these events to just a few countries,” Fennell told BBC Sport.

“You can’t have the largest Commonwealth country make an acceptable offer and then not accept it.

“We have a Games here where a country is learning and we accept that. We are not on a perfect curve.

“My big hope is the athletes will enjoy it and leave with good memories.”

The collapse of a footbridge close to the main stadium and part of a false roof in the weightlifting venue raised fears about the standard of construction.

But Fennell added: “You entrust the organisation to an organising committee and that organising committee has to get on with the job.

“You cannot sit on top of them every day. You have to applaud their efforts but the management and systematic follow through was just not there.

“I have to say that in many countries, not just India, they do resist outsiders telling them what to do and what pace to do it at.

“People here have been very co-operative but they have their own style.”

The Games move to Glasgow in 2014 and Fennell said the work done by Glasgow already was “very, very good.”

“After this huge learning experience we will move on,” he said.

“We will go to Glasgow and we will work with their organising committee to iron out problems we have experienced here.”