London, Sep 24: Piled up with criticism for preparations of Games, there is no stop as individual pullouts from the crisis-ridden Commonwealth Games with five leading cyclists becoming the latest to withdraw from games on Friday, Sep 24.

Welsh world and Olympic champion Geraint Thomas, Isle of Man rider Peter Kennaugh, Greg Henderson New Zealand and the England pair of Ben Swift and Ian Stannard, said they were opting out of the Games as they feared for their health after hearing reports of dengue outbreak and the “filthy" conditions at the Games Village.

“It"s a massive disappointment first and foremost but with the hygiene and the risk of getting ill, it was a massive risk," said Thomas, who competes in the 4,000 metres in the road race and the time trial

“I have been worried about the situation in New Delhi for some time, particularly since the dengue fever situation became apparent a couple of weeks ago," another cyclist Kennaugh said.

David Brailsford, the performer Director of British Cycling, refuted suggestions that riders had been told to pull out as the decision was entirely theirs.

“Given the situation they have found themselves in with the Commonwealth Games, nobody would blame the athletes for staying away, but there is no instruction from Team Sky on this issue," he said.

OneIndia News