English athletes at the Commonwealth Games "have been briefed on what to do if they are booed amid fears that Scots nationalists could use the 'friendly games' to voice animosity towards the Auld Enemy," according to Gordon Rayner of the London TELEGRAPH. Several athletes have "already approached Team England asking for guidance on how to respond to heckling at the Games." The event will take place "less than two months before the referendum on Scottish independence, and athletes are aware that anti-English sentiment may be running high among some Scottish sports fans." Games organizers, however, have insisted the English athletes have "nothing to worry about and will be given a reception second only to members of Team Scotland." A Team England spokesperson said, "If it happens I'm sure the athletes will all just carry on. Some sports are more adversarial than others" (TELEGRAPH, 7/16).
NOROVIRUS STRIKES 20 MORE: The PA reported a "further 20 workers" at the athletes' village have been "struck down with norovirus, taking the total number of reported cases to 32." Their symptoms are "described as mild but they have have been sent home until they have recovered." NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said that no athletes or team officials "staying on the site in the east end of Glasgow had been affected." The village is said to be "operating as normal but infection control measures have been put in place and Health Protection Scotland is working with the health board and Games organisers to minimise risk" (PA, 7/17).