Melbourne: Former world champion road cyclist Greg Henderson became the first selected New Zealand athlete to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games, saying there are "too many risks" in going to Delhi for the troubled event.
Henderson, who was left shaken after seeing pictures showing "filthy" conditions at the Games Village, has informed the New Zealand cycling body about his decision to withdraw.
"There are just too many risks and in this situation the cons outweigh the pros. Who knows exactly what's gone on there," said Henderson, who is here to compete in the road cycling world championships next week.
"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 was quoted as saying by 'The Sydney Morning Herald'.
Henderson said he reconsidered his decision to compete in the Games at the insistence of his wife and kids.
"It's about my family, it's not just about Greg Henderson any more, I've got to think about my wife (former Australian Olympic cyclist medallist Katie Mactier) and little girl Charlie and they don't want me going to the Commonwealth Games," Henderson said.
Henderson joins Olympic champion Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh, Ian Stannard and Ben Swift in withdrawing from the controversy-hit October 3 to 14 Games, the organisers of which are in a mad scramble to complete the preparations. PTI
