Edinburgh students fly to Delhi

The University of Edinburgh have sent 34 athletes, coaches and staff all affiliated with the Sports Union to participate in the Commonwealth Games in India.

33 members of the team are with the Scottish delegation. Steven Watterson will represent the Isle of Man in shooting’s 10m air rifle competition.

After delaying their departure to allow officials in India to improve the state of the athlete's accommodation, some of the Scottish team flew to Delhi from Glasgow on Saturday, the remainder arriving on Tuesday.  

Pictures of inhabitable living quarters had been sent to media outlets across the world. Rooms appear dirty and unhygienic and in some cases the monsoon season has caused the brand new buildings to flood. Work on the athletes' village is still ongoing leaving many areas unsafe. 

The validity of the Games, which have allegedly cost India £1.5 billion, has been called into question after claims of corruption hit the press along with news of a fever epidemic in the city.  

Despite this, the English and Welsh teams have also arrived in Delhi.

Scottish team manager Vicky Strange is already in Delhi and told the BBC: "Our accommodation for Team Scotland is actually very much ready.

"It's been a hard week, I've had easier working weeks as have the rest of the guys out here.

"But, it definitely has paid off and the organising committee have now taken notice of everything that has been said and there's been a lot of progress.”

The Games are due to take place between the 3 and 14 October. In 2014, they will be in held Glasgow.

At the previous competition in 2006 in Melbourne, 25 of the medals were won by competitors that had links to Edinburgh University.

Jim Aitken, Director for Sport and Exercise at Edinburgh, said: "The University has always enjoyed a strong representation at Commonwealth Games but this is our largest contingent to date, which is marvellous and testimony to our commitment to performance sport."

Edinburgh’s best hopes of medal glory lie with the hockey squad. Graham Moodie, the player-coach of the University First XI is hoping to play beside graduates Alistair McGregor and Stephen Dick who already have over 100 caps between them.

Newly selected for the women’s team is Becky Merchant. Ms Merchant has just finished the fourth year of her Neuroscience degree and is travelling with the team to what will be her first games. Joining her will be fellow student Morag McLellan, who is studying sports science.

Five out of the 21 members of the Scottish swim team are also members of Edinburgh University’s swim club. Kris Gilchrist, who won a relay medal in Melbourne, will compete in three events this year including the men’s 100m breaststroke.

It is not only current students who are competing. Susan Maitland is a staff member at the School of Chemistry and has been selected for the women’s Archery team. She trains with the Edinburgh alumni club.

Three members of the university’s Fitness Assessment and Sports Injury Clinic will support the Scottish athletes while they are competing.