England deny Commonwealth Games quit rumours

By Chris Cottrell, Sportsbeat

COMMONWEALTH Games England insist they are not on the verge of withdrawing from the 2010 Games in New Delhi.

ENGLAND TO WITHDRAW?: Commonwealth Games England deny they are about to withdraw from the 2010 Games for the first time in its 80 year history

The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday that senior Whitehall sources had conceded there was ‘virtually no chance' a team would be sent to India in October over security concerns.

Another anonymous source told the paper: "We currently cannot see any way that England will be able to send a team to Delhi next year."

But amid fears the rest of the home nations as well as major countries like Canada and Australia would follow suit, CGE general manager Ann Hogbin vehemently denied the rumours.

"Our current and strong intention is to field a team to Delhi next year," said Hogbin.

"We take our duty of care to athletes and other team members very seriously but we have not received any indication that we should not participate in the Games."

CGE marketing director Duncan Lewis also told BBC: "You can't make a snap decision like this a period of time out from the Games.

"We'll continue to take advice, but at the moment we are full steam ahead for Delhi."

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office says it has not told any British teams to miss the event.

"We are aware that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had some concerns about preparations for the Games," said a statement.

"We continue to work closely with the Indian authorities who are doing everything they can to ensure a safe and secure Games."

Several high-profile athletes have already signalled their intention not to compete - although none have cited security concerns.

World champion gymnast Beth Tweddle and silver medallist Dan Keatings will both focus on the World Gymnastics Championships due to be staged in the same month while many cyclists - including Mark Cavendish - have said they have other competition priorities.

Jessica Ennis, who won heptathlon gold at the World Athletics Championships, is also not travelling while rival Kelly Sotherton, the reigning champion in the same event, has confirmed she won't go either.

English badminton players, who withdrew from the World Championships in Hyderabad earlier this year, insist they are committed, while British Swimming wants to use the event as a tune-up to London 2012 and has promised to send a powerful squad.

England netball coach Sue Hawkins also told Sportsbeat earlier this year that her team would have no qualms about withdrawing, if the security situation didn't meet their satisfaction.

"We've just got to make sure that a potential terrorist threat isn't the focus of the event. The English government will make sure that we're secure and if there's any doubt I'm sure we won't be going," she said.