WELLINGTON – New Zealand road cyclist Greg Henderson said Friday he was withdrawing from the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi over concerns about health and security.

Henderson, a gold medalist in the points race at the 2002 Manchester Games, said that he had long harbored doubts about going to India and seeing photographs of squalid conditions at the athletes’ village made up his mind.

“It’s not all about Greg Henderson, I’ve got a family now,” said the 33-year-old, who is the first New Zealander to pull out for non-injury related reasons.

“I have to put them first and I don’t feel 100 percent sure about the environment over there.”

Henderson, who races professionally with British Team Sky, said it was not worth risking his career to face the threat of dengue fever, security fears and poor accommodation in Delhi.

“Realistically it’s probably going to be OK and the Games will go on, but where I am in my career at the moment, the negatives outweigh the pros,” he said.

New Zealand has been one of the most vocal critics in the crisis-hit lead-up to the Games and has delayed its team’s departure until the athletes’ accommodation is brought up to standard.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee is expected to make a final decision on the country’s participation at the Games later Friday.

Article:AFP