Indian officials 'getting grip on chaos'

England's Russell Downing and Greg Henderson of New Zealand were the latest road cyclists to withdraw following four of their Team Sky colleagues on Wednesday. Henderson, 34, admitted he had been put off by the "risks" of going to Delhi. Their withdrawal contrasted with the Scotland team announcing that their first athletes would fly out today, and England officials welcoming their first team members to the Indian capital. Any threat to the Games actually taking place has now disappeared.

England's 16-strong men's hockey squad and lawn bowlers moved into a hotel yesterday ahead of moving into the village, which still needs much to be done in terms of cleaning and maintenance work, according to England chef de mission Craig Hunter. "Our next wave of athletes arrives Sunday and a lot still needs to happen before then. So more and swift action is required."

Hockey captain Ben Middleton inspected the village and was not disheartened. "It's nice to see it for ourselves.

"The flats are spacious – which is good for a major Games – but there are bits and pieces to be done to bring them up to standard. A couple of days will make a difference."