Commonwealth Games: Balconies strictly for slim singles

New Zealand boxer Nathan McEwen ventures onto the balcony of his room. Photo / Getty Images

There might be guarantees about New Zealand athletes' safety in their two eight-storey towers at the Commonwealth Games village, but it has not stopped an informal warning going out among the team: no more than two people at a time on a balcony.

On a tour of the village yesterday, the hockey delegation admitted they had been warned to stay off their balconies if possible - and definitely not to go out in twos. One stocky New Zealand television reporter was also given a warning as he ventured out by himself.

Workmanship at the Games has often been questioned with allegations safety certificates for several stadiums have been forged. Still, there remains a school of thought with some of the other calamities in the Games build-up that this is a controllable situation, even if it means restricting the urge for fresh air.

The theme of dubious workmanship has been underlined by the bowls team manager of the Falkland Islands team, Shirley Rieve, who is staying in tower 32, the original spot set aside for New Zealand until it was labelled "unlivable" by chef de mission Dave Currie.

The New Zealand team have also been preparing for the worst on the health front.

An NZOC spokesperson said they had strict protocols should one of the team catch a tummy bug. There are spare rooms throughout the tower where athletes can be isolated. Much like 14th century Europe during the plague, nobody except medical staff will then be allowed to enter the room.

There have been no reports of illness in the camp as yet.

Others have not been so lucky. The event's chief medical officer, Tarun Garg, has taken ill with suspected typhoid. Contagious vomiting and diarrhoea is also rife in the village, with more than a dozen Welsh competitors being kept in isolation.

Other glitches in the New Zealand team set-up include a lack of any wi-fi internet service but it is hoped a team grandstand might help unite the athletes more and possibly stifle the need to be online 24/7.

That means the original internet café concept in the Kiwi quarters could become redundant, although bean bags will still be on offer.

The other concern for athletes is the Delhi public's complete disregard for designated Commonwealth Games road lanes.

Commuters just veer into them out of habit and convenience, such as when another lane was blocked on the way to the village on Friday because a man was chipping cement off the pavement using a chisel and hammer. The safety barrier around him on the motorway type-road was a piece of tape.

Nearly 1000 people have been fined for entering the exclusive lanes between 8am and 8pm, the times when the rule is enforced.

It will be impossible to penalise the thousands of others also doing it. That means athletes will be exposed to a significant security risk as their buses slow to avoid lane hoppers.

- Additional reporting by Dylan Cleaver