From Caroline Searle, Commonwealth Games England
England will move into the Commonwealth Games Village in Delhi today.
A group of around 20 support team staff will be the first occupants of the England accommodation overnight to ensure that conditions continue to be on track for 48 competitors from hockey (32), lawn bowls (12) and shooting (4) to move in on Monday.
They will be followed by gymnastics (10), archery (12) and weightlifting (14) on Tuesday.
England Chef de Mission Craig Hunter said: “It’s exciting but also a relief to be able to occupy our accommodation.
“We are now getting back on track with the planned and phased arrival of athletes and we will begin to reach a peak of team numbers (more than 500) on October 5.
“There is still a lot more to do to be ready for that peak but, meanwhile, I’d like to pay tribute to our support team staff who have worked sometimes literally around the clock to get everything in place and safe for the first athletes’ arrival.
“It has been a challenging experience but one which will make us stronger as we strive to be successful now on the field of play.”
England’s participation at the Games opens at 8.30am on October 4 with the first session of swimming heats. Double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington and world champion Liam Tancock will feature in that session.
England’s opening ceremony flag bearer will be announced on October 1.
For further information about Commonwealth Games England please contact the Commonwealth Games England press office as follows:
For all overall England media enquiries, cycling, gymnastics, wrestling (and hockey until September 29) please contact: England’s Chief Press Officer: Caroline Searle: + 91 956 0923858 or caroline@matchtight.co.uk
From September 27 onwards for boxing, table tennis, archery and bowls please contact England press officer: Mark Smith on + 91 882 613 1046
From September 27 onwards for badminton, tennis, squad, weightlifting and netball please contact England press officer Fran Bullock on +91 882 613 1044
For athletics please contact Emma Pickles on: In Doha from September 27 – 3 October on +971 552217126 and in Delhi from October 3 onwards on +91 8981025276.
For aquatics please contact Dave Richards on: +44 7789 926136
For hockey (from September 29): Lawrence West (tel number tbc).
For Rugby 7s please contact: Simon Mills on +44 7702 661214
For Shooting the press officer will be Martyn White. Further details to be confirmed.
NB: DELHI IS 4.5 HOURS AHEAD OF THE UK
The CGE’s home office should be the first point of contact for all UK-based media: 01225 443998 or press@matchtight.co.uk
For previous news stories on the Delhi Commonwealth Games, click here