Player security being reviewed ahead of Delhi Commonwealth Games: Oz games chief
December 31st, 2009 - 3:18 pm ICT by ANI ( Leave a comment )Melbourne, Dec. 31 (ANI): Australian Commonwealth Games officials have said that they will review security advice every 24 hours amid new fears of terrorist attacks during the 2010 Games in Delhi.
Australia Commonwealth Games Association CEO Perry Crosswhite has confirmed the nation’s commitment to the Games in October, but added no athlete would be obliged to compete if they held security fears.
Crosswhite was responding to a report in London that England is seriously considering pulling out of the Games over fears its athletes will be targeted by terrorists.
“There are reassessments every day. I think you have to continue to have a watching brief on it. This is a part of the world where there has been some recent problems and we’ve just got to make sure they don’t happen during these Games,’ the Daily Telegraph quoted Crosswhite, as saying.
He said the team’s security plans were already being stepped up, with more Australian Federal Police agents to accompany athletes than ever before.
For the first time, AFP bodyguards would stay with the team in the Games village, he added.
Police and security advisers fear the England team will be targeted by Pakistani militants and feel the safety of athletes cannot currently be guaranteed, London’s The Daily Telegraph claimed, quoting unnamed government sources.
However, responding to the report, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it “has not advised any of the British teams’ against competing in the Games, from October 3-14.
“We are aware that the Commonwealth Games Federation had some concerns about preparations for the Games,’ it said in a statement.
“We continue to work closely with the Indian authorities who are doing everything they can to ensure a safe and secure Games.’
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Paul Stephenson visited the Indian capital earlier this month to inspect the Games sites and was said to have voiced “serious concerns’ about the security arrangements.
Australia is planning to take its largest team ever to compete overseas - more than 425 athletes - at the Delhi Games.
Crosswhite said the latest information he had did not support English fears of a terrorist attack. (ANI)
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