Commonwealth Games pressure increases on Delhi

Pressure is growing on India to deal urgently with problems concerning its hosting of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, amid increasing criticism and concerns over hygiene and security.

Commonwealth Games Canada's president told the BBC that Indian officials had been "indifferent bordering on intransigent" in tackling the issues.

New Zealand has now delayed the arrival of its athletes for the event.

India insists next month's Games will be one of the most successful.

Several participating countries have delegates in the capital urgently checking the facilities at the athletes' village and the arrangements for security.

The president of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC), Mike Stanley, said the arrival of its athletes should be delayed until at least 28 September because of problems with accommodation and other issues. The Games start on 3 October.

Mr Stanley said: "It's tremendously disappointing. The long list of outstanding issues has made it clear the village will now not be ready for New Zealand athletes to move in as planned."

New Zealand's Dominion Post newspaper reported that the country was looking at using Singapore as a "holding pen" for its athletes if conditions in Delhi did not improve.

The chief executive of Swimming New Zealand, Mike Byrne, told the BBC that two New Zealand officials were in Delhi and would report later on Thursday about the situation.