New Zealand gives a thumbs up to the Games

“India is absolutely beautiful. Media has made it out to be so bad. But honestly we have had the most amazing time here. The venues are brilliant and we are very happy,” Van Dyk said.

New Zealand’s cycling coach Tim Carswell also said that the Games Village looks good and he hoped that the Games would be very successful.

“The village really looks good. The security has been beefed up and the conditions also look good. The food is good,” the coach told the reporters in a press conference.

Terming the track in Delhi as one of the best,world pursuit silver medallist Jesse Sergent said,”The track looks fast. It will be good for the competition. This is my first time in CWG.”

Asked if he has met his Indian counterparts,Sergent said,”No,I have not. But I have seen them during practice. They seem to have some new bikes. They look good.”

Former 2009 world champion in the women’s individual pursuit Alison Shanks said the intense security vigil around the team has put all their concerns to rest.

“We are now satisfied with the security. Whatever concerns we had,have been put to rest,” said Shanks.

The rising star of New Zealand’s sprint team,Eddie Dawkins said he never had much concerns for security. “Look,I am a pretty easy-going guy. I never had much concerns for the security,” he said.

“It was not about the security as such. It was more about whether it is going to be comfortable for the athletes to stay on,” Van Dyk said.

“I think the main concern was when the bridge fell over and security wise,we didn’t have doubts because our chef de mission said right from the beginning that there are people everywhere looking out for athletes,” she added.

The New Zealand team said no matter how many athletes withdraw,the Delhi Games will be very tough and competitive.

“Australians will be our biggest competition especially in track cycling,” the coach said.