Scotland Yard security cover for UK athletes is usual practice: Envoy
January 22nd, 2010 - 7:56 pm ICT by ANI
New Delhi, Jan 22(ANI): Britain’s High Commissioner to India, Sir Richard Stagg, on Friday expressed satisfaction over the preparations leading up to this year’s Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi in October.
During an interaction with media here, High Commissioner Stagg said that he supported the decision of British athletes, numbering more than 1500, having Scotland Yard protection. He said this was a regular practice.
Scotland Yard has been working with Delhi Police and other security agencies associated with the Games since August 2009, and has played a crucial role in review of safety measures related to the event.
Stagg also stressed he sees no security threat in India.
The comment could be a big boost for India, as many countries, including Australia has indicated they may pull out of the Games due to terrorist threats.
Certain media reports had suggested that British athletes might not participate in the Games citing security fears.
There were even reports the entire squad could pull out over worries that athletes could become a target for terrorists.
It maybe recalled that the England team had withdrawn from the World Badminton Championship in Hyderabad in August 2009 following terror threats. Home Minister P. Chidambaram specially visited the city in the wake of the team’s exit to prove that foreign teams had nothing to fear. (ANI)
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