Thaindian News

London, Oct 3 (ANI): Scotland’s athletes have been told they do not have to attend the opening ceremony of the Delhi Commonwealth Games today due to fears of staying in holding areas for hours at a time, but it was up to them if they so chose to.

Although athletes competing on day one of events on Monday are already banned from attending the ceremony, there are also concerns about those involved in events over the next few days.

“There were some questions raised this morning in terms of the timings: when the athletes leave, get to the ceremony, then get back again,” Team Scotland chef de mission Jon Doig said.

“We have a policy that athletes competing on day one (Monday) do not go to the ceremony. It’s quite a physically and emotionally demanding occasion at any Games. We will go back to our team leaders with the final timings, and athletes will make their individual decisions whether to go or not,” The Scotsman quoted him, as saying.

Scotland, the Isle of Man and Canada have threatened to boycott the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony because they claim organisers have not told them enough about the event.

Canada also confirmed that it had raised concerns with organisers and was still seeking guarantees for the welfare of its athletes planning to take part.

The countries have sought assurances about the welfare of their athletes and details of their movements to and from the ceremony, and have also asked Indian officials for the latest security intelligence but have received no reply, News.com.au reports.

A report in London’s Daily Telegraph said the threat to stage a last-minute boycott of the three-hour extravaganza came from Scotland and the Isle of Man, Canada and New Zealand during chefs de mission meeting on Sunday. (ANI)