Poor conditions at venues and accommodation cause riders to pull out, but decisions are their own
Four British cyclists have become the latest athletes to withdraw from next month’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. Geraint Thomas of Wales, Peter Kennaugh of the Isle of Man, and Ian Stannard and Ben Swift of England have all pulled out of the games, amid fears over the health and safety of rider accommodation and some venues.
English track and field athletes Philips Idowu, Christine Ohuruogu and Lisa Dobriskey have already made headlines by pulling out, now it seems that cyclists are following suit.
All four are Team Sky riders, but the decisions were personal ones and not an order from the team though, says team principle Dave Brailsford.
“These situations are down to the choice of the athletes themselves,” he said, specifically in response to media speculation over Kennaugh’s withdrawal. “We at Team Sky can make recommendations to the athletes but the ultimate decision lies with them.
“Given the situation they have found themselves in with the Commonwealth Games, nobody would blame the athletes for staying away, but there is no instruction from Team Sky on this issue.
“We at Team Sky will support them in whatever decision they make,” he concluded.
Kennaugh too was keen to stress that the decision had been his alone. “I have been worried about the situation in Delhi for some time, particularly since the Dengue fever situation [a mosquito borne illness] became apparent a couple of weeks ago,” the 21-year-old Manxman told the Daily Telegraph.
“Then just recently we have seen the picture from the village and that made my mind up for me.
“I have spoken to the British coaches and people at Team Sky,” he added, “because it has been a worry on my mind but they put me under no pressure and made it clear that it was entirely my call. It’s absolutely my own decision.”
While the four riders normally compete for Great Britain in international events such as the Olympic Games and World Championships, the Commonwealth Games is unique in that athletes compete for their constituent parts of the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.