With the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi opening on Sunday Australian athletes will be finally able to switch their focus to sport following months of hype surrounding concerns for athlete safety, the drama of unfinished buildings and sport politics.

The time has come for Australian athletes, including a strong Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) contingent to shift into competition mode with action starting on Monday 4 October.

Just prior to arriving in Delhi earlier this week,  AIS cyclist, and world champion, Kaarle McCulloch was too busy pushing the physical boundaries at a rigorous training camp in Switzerland to waste energy thinking about the ‘what ifs’.

‘I was both excited and nervous but, the updates we received from the ACGA were positive,’ said 22 year old McCulloch.

Kaarle reports that she cannot wait to pull on the Australian uniform and represent her country.

‘Riding for Australia has always been a dream of mine…..stepping out in the green and gold this week is going to be a huge thrill and I’m honoured’.

And she’s not alone.

Our top ranked men’s hockey team the Kookaburras are fighting fit and cannot wait to hit the field and defend their title in Delhi.

‘We are confident but not overconfident. We like being the No. 1 team in the world and we want to stay there,’ said co-captain and AIS athlete Jamie Dwyer.

Having played in India in February this year for the World Cup Dwyer says the Kookaburras know the pitch and how it plays.

‘We are also familiar with the Indian lifestyle so we know what to expect.’

Five times Paralympic gold medallist Matthew Cowdrey is also ready to hit the pool in Delhi.

Four years ago in Melbourne Cowdrey was the only male swimmer to win an individual gold medal.

Although he admits, ‘I won't be the only individual gold medallist this time around’ he is keen to make a splash and defend his 50m and 100m freestyle Commonwealth titles.