Organisers of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi have stated the athletes’ village will be completed on Wednesday – just four days ahead of the opening ceremony.

Approximately 4,000 people are now working around the clock to get the village ready, as competitors from across the world begin to arrive.

Following talks with construction officials the chief minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, said: “About 66 flats will be handed over by Monday and everything will be complete by Wednesday.”

With athletes from Kenya, Scotland and India now living in the village, England have begun to move their team into the heavily-criticised facilities.

A group of 20 support team staff are already resident in the accommodation, assessing whether conditions are suitable for the 48 athletes from the hockey, lawn bowls and shooting teams to move in.

Once given the go-ahead, they are expected to be followed by 36 more competitors from gymnastics, archery and weightlifting.

Chief minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, confirmed India would be ready on time

Delhi 2010

India’s build up to the event has been plagued by innumerable setbacks, with construction delays, corruption scandals, a dengue fever outbreak and the collapse of a footbridge near the main stadium all raising questions over the viability of the project.

A suspected militant attack on two foreign tourists also highlighted fears about security last week.

However, despite the controversy, Commonwealth Games president Michael Fennell confirmed all 71 nations will compete.

“I am very happy we are recording today that there will be full participation in the Games,” he added Fennell.

“I am pleased to report that there has been significant progress in preparing the Village.

“The work that is being done now ought to have been done before, but we are concentrating on how to get things done so athletes can enjoy the best possible conditions when competing at the Commonwealth Games,” he concluded.