Australia assures athletes of safety at scandal-hit Delhi

Australia’s Commonwealth Games chief Perry Crosswhite has written to the team’s athletes to assure them of their safety in Delhi, even as the country’s Prime Minister highlighted security fears surrounding the scandal-hit event.

Although warning athletes about hygiene amid an outbreak of dengue fever in the Indian capital, Crosswhite was optimistic about the state of security and athletes acommodation, which have prompted other teams to threaten to pull out of the Oct.

3-14 Games.

“Overall the impression gained by myself and our Team HQ team members is that Games security is extensive and well organised at the Games Village,” Crosswhite said in an email to athletes.

“From all reports this is the same situation at the Games venues and the airport and along the transport routes.

“Our position regarding Games security remains unchanged and we believe the security risk position for our team is at an acceptable level.

“This is supported by both the Australian Government, the CGF and the ACGA’s (Australia Commonwealth Games Association) security advisers.”

Prime Minister Julia Gillard struck a more pessimistic tone on Thursday, saying there were “widespread concerns” surrounding the event.

Gillard also told reporters that the government planned to

“boost more officials” deployed in Delhi, without elaborating on their task, and said it was up to athletes to decide for themselves whether to go.

Australia’s discus world champion Dani Samuels has already pulled out of the Games citing security and health concerns, and has been followed by a raft of athletes from other teams.

FLOODED

Crosswhite said he was unaware of any other Australian athletes intending to pull out, and that those that made the journey as scheduled could expect clean, hygienic rooms in the athletes’ village, despite them being found dirty, and in some cases, flooded due to the monsoon rains.

“We are having all apartments professionally cleaned and we are confident that these will be in acceptable condition for the initial arrival of team athletes on 27 September,” he said.

New Zealand became the latest team to delay their arrival in Delhi on Thursday, citing problems with the athletes’ village in a “long list” of oustanding issues. Scotland and Canada have already delayed their athletes and Wales has sought safety guarantees before sending their team.

Crosswhite was more concerned about an outbreak of dengue fever that has hit the capital and gave athletes detailed instruction to cover themselves in mosquito-repellant multiple times a day.

“The Indian authorities are well aware of the problems, and are spraying continuously in the village and outside,” he said.

India had hoped to use the $6 billion Games as a display of its growing global economic and political clout, but infrastructure failures, corruption scandals and security doubts have threatened to turn the event into a farce.