Eng focus on Games
England's team at the crisis-hit Commonwealth Games admit it has been huge challenge getting this far, but insist they are now focused on sport and not the raft of problems blighting the event.
Ahead of the Games, which start on Sunday, competitors and officials had raised serious concerns about the cleanliness of the athletes' village, the condition of some venues, and security.
Such was the worry that several English athletes took it upon themselves to withdraw, including world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu who said: "Sorry people, but I have children to think about."
But now that the bulk of their 359 competitors are settled in the athletes' village, chef-de-mission Craig Hunter said on Friday that the focus had switched to sport.
"Our journey to the starting line here in Delhi has been challenging, but the mood in the village now is of commitment and energy," he said, in a press conference interrupted by a pack of wild dogs barking just outside.
"We are fully focused on sport and we are ambitious for everyone to do well here.
"We know that this is a unique experience for young first-time athletes who are passionate about achieving here en-route to the London Olympics or future world-level events in their own sports.
"For some, it is also an opportunity to set new records and personal bests."
England will be battling to hold on to second place in the medals table after finishing runners-up at the last three Games, but are bracing for a stern challenge from Canada and hosts India.
Hunter said it was achievable, but would be tough.
"We have a dynamic team and I think we'll do the country proud," he said.
"Clearly India will be a real force with home advantage, and Canada who have invested massively in their athletics program.
"But we'll be there and in everyone's faces."
While England has been hit by a string of high-profile pull-outs, it still has a clutch of Olympic and world champions, including Rebecca Adlington, Gemma Spofforth (swimming), and Tom Daley (diving).
In team sports, their women hockey players will be looking to build on their strong showings at the World Cup and Champions Trophy earlier this year, when they both struck bronze.
Although they face stiff competition from defending champions Australia, South Africa and India, the English women have avoided their rivals in the group stage and will be confident of reaching the gold medal match.
They also boast shooter Michael Gault, who is gunning to become the most medalled athlete in Commonwealth Games history.
The 56-year-old, England's oldest competitor, has won 15 medals from four Games to date and needs four more to set a new record, currently held by Australian pistol shooter Phillip Adams, who won 18 medals from six Games.
He said that despite all the problems plaguing the Delhi event, England was never going to pull out.
"I convinced myself that we would never pull out. We have invested too much. It was never going to be a non-event," he said.
"Only death or maybe a broken limb would have stopped me being here. I've worked for four years for this event.”
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