England, Scotland were just hours away from pulling out of Delhi CWG: Holmes

LONDON - England and Scotland were just hours away from pulling out of the 2010 Commonwealth Games and were already preparing statements to that effect

President of Commonwealth Games England Kelly Holmes while revealing this, said that had that happened, Australia would have also followed suit.

The build-up to the Games was plagued by monsoons, dengue fever, security concerns and an athletes’ village that was found to be unfit to live.

And it was only Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and the Games organizers assurances to the teams at the 11th hour, that deterred their pulling out from the Games, The Sun reports.

Holmes admitted: “We were so close to pulling out. And if we had, then Australia would have followed. They were all looking to what we did. Every day for two weeks we had board meetings and conferences. We had to put a lot of pressure on the Indian authorities to ensure the safety of our athletes.

“But once Sheila Dikshit got involved she really did kick s**t and it all turned around! Then when we made the absolute call the other nations followed. I’m now pleased we made the decision to come and I think that the athletes have thrived on it,” Holmes said.

“I also think those who didn’t come will now regret it. I think a lot of them made rash decisions. Everyone was talking about the superstars not coming but we’ve done just as well without them. The Commonwealth Games makes stars and it’s given others the platform to believe in themselves,” she said.

England finished behind Australia and hosts India in the final medal table. (ANI)