Gerrard, a veteran of eight Olympics as a competitor, doctor and administrator, remains "cautiously optimistic" the Games will proceed. But he has been dismayed at the reports this week of sub-standard facilities at the athletes' village.
"I cannot, for the life of me, understand how the authorities have dropped the ball on something as important as this so late in the game," Gerrard told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
"This is a significant issue that I believe has either been downplayed or completely overlooked. It's crazy to suggest that the completion of a swimming pool or a track is more important than the welfare of the athletes and their living conditions.
"Hearing of debris and rubble and human excrement in the athletes' village ... that's just totally unacceptable."
Gerrard took the opposite view of athletes federation boss Rob Nichol, who said on radio yesterday morning that security was more important than facilities.
"I would contend that issues of hygiene and sanitation were just as important," Gerrard said.
"Any water-borne or food-borne infection, gastroenteritis, dengue fever or malaria would be debilitating for an athlete who's prepared for an event like this."
The village was central to every team at the Games, and finding better accommodation for only some of the athletes was no solution, Gerrard said.
If the New Zealanders, for example, moved to a new base, another country would move to the place the New Zealand team considered unacceptable.
"You'd have a domino effect, and someone would draw the short straw."
Gerrard recalled concerns about mosquitoes near the athletes' village at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
The Athens Olympics in 2004 also had some issues - "They were still painting the grass on the day of the opening ceremony" - but nothing as serious as Delhi.
As chef de mission, Gerrard participated in many scouting trips to countries months before Games started, and always expected to be shown the athletes' village or at least a replica.
"If your village isn't up to standard, you won't attract the athletes. And without the athletes, there are no Games.
"The village must be completed to a standard that is universally accepted by countries like New Zealand, Canada, Australia, England - the larger teams that will have an expectation the athletes can just move in.
"I've read reports of mosquito infestation, dengue fever and malaria around the Delhi village. These are major public health issues that should have been addressed early on."
The worst-case scenario was clearly that the Games would have to be cancelled, Gerrard said.
He predicted the major nations would be discussing their options, one of which could be a "sad but possibly merited" withdrawal. He was comfortable that experienced New Zealand officials Dave Currie, Mike Stanley and Barry Maister would make the right call.
"They're on the spot and I believe we should leave that final decision up to them.
"I think decisions will be made as early as the end of this week. Athletes are arriving, and if their health is at risk, clearly they will turn around and depart.
"My heart goes out to the athletes, many of whom have been training overseas. The science of preparation for sport means they will be in the final stages of their training programmes in an attempt to peak on a particular day."
