Wellington: The fortified Games village in New Delhi failed to gain the confidence of New Zealand tennis player Ellen Barry as she became the latest to pull out of the Commonwealth Games citing security concerns.
The 21-year-old was supposed to pair up with Marina Erakovic in the women's doubles but pulled out at the last minute saying she fears the security arrangements.
"It all happened in the last 24-36 hours while everything else was on," New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie was quoted as saying in the New Zealand Herald.
"It will impact on Marina's doubles hopes. She is also going to be a day later, she is due tomorrow (Friday)," he added.
Ellen is only the second athlete after cyclist Greg Henderson to pull out of the originally selected team of 193 because of security fears.
"Most people have trusted our judgement, given the length of time we've been doing it.
"It weighs heavily on us that we make the right decision and we've been grateful for that support from most sports. We've appreciated the faith we'll make the right call. However, there will be no recriminations," said Currie.
Barry and Henderson didn't approach the NZOC to gain knowledge about what exactly is going in New Delhi.
"Nobody rings you up," Currie said.
Cyclist Adam Stewart was another athlete who was forced to skip the Games after he was suspended for the attempted use of the banned substances EPO and HCG.
The 21-year-old was supposed to pair up with Marina Erakovic in the women's doubles but pulled out at the last minute saying she fears the security arrangements.
"It all happened in the last 24-36 hours while everything else was on," New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie was quoted as saying in the New Zealand Herald.
Ellen is only the second athlete after cyclist Greg Henderson to pull out of the originally selected team of 193 because of security fears.
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"It weighs heavily on us that we make the right decision and we've been grateful for that support from most sports. We've appreciated the faith we'll make the right call. However, there will be no recriminations," said Currie.
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"Nobody rings you up," Currie said.
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