MAX CRANSTON
Sports Writer

The Commonwealth Games are quickly approaching, with many questions regarding accommodations left unanswered. Hosted in Delhi, there are looming security, safety and comfort concerns — enough to keep anyone awake at night.

The Commonwealth Games are slated to begin on Oct. 3, yet it seems the accommodations in Delhi have not improved.

Nearly a week ago, Canada voiced concerns regarding the disorder seen in the athlete’s village, which was behind schedule and far from completion. They are reportedly doing well catching up but the area is not entirely safe.

A pedestrian bridge fell earlier in the week injuring people, which only turned the focus to an event that seems to be failing to live up to standards.

To be more precise, there is a low standard of living: shabby conditions (also unsanitary), lack of space, snakes (some poisonous) being found in rooms and at venues, and a boxer’s bed collapsing when he went to rest on it. The lodgings and beds were found in filthy condition nearly a week ago.

With new teams currently moving onsite, the complaints are still being brought forward — the same complaints.

Which begs the question, is the term “Commonwealth” entirely ironic if you think about it? The surroundings are literally the definition of poverty, with many construction workers living in tents and tin shacks.

If the members of the Commonwealth don’t share nearly the same living standards — Canadians, in this case, feeling endangered while staying in the country — the term “wealth” is rather misleading. Not to say the emerging superpower doesn’t have any wealth; these games had hoped to show off India’s emerging economy.

Thus far, it has only cast doubt and created insecurity, which certainly none of the athletes want to worry about before entering one of the biggest competitions worldwide.

Canadian officials working with the RCMP are reminding athletes that when outside official venues to carry a cell phone, to stay with a buddy and to not wear uniforms. The advice about uniforms, the same being said to every country, would make it easy to be identified as a tourist and would garner unwanted attention. This is understandable. Minimizing theft when visiting any foreign country is a priority.

The Canadians were last advised not to wear uniforms during the 1988 Seoul games when Ben Johnson tested positive — but that was to avoid media and ridicule. The situation is quite different now and the athletes are reluctant to wear uniforms for a much more somber reason.

The amount of obstacles and general unsanitary conditions present are staggering, and considering the $1.6 billion budget involved, it doesn’t seem to make much sense. Athletes have dropped out — Usain Bolt for instance — with complaints regarding unsanitary and unhospitable conditions.

The construction crews will be hard at work in the coming days and many countries have again agreed to send their athletes. Countries including Great Britain were reluctant earlier in the week, some even considering dropping out of the Commonwealth games altogether. The current situation is unclear, but organizers are hopeful and countries are delaying sending their athletes over, allowing more time for improvements.

Hopefully the games turn out well; there’s still roughly a week before the opening ceremony and lots of work to be done. If organizers can achieve success, after what has already happened, kudos to them. There will be many watchful and scrutinous eyes, which will likely not be easy to impress.