‘Mumbai attacks won’t affect 2010 Delhi CWG’

IOC President Suresh Kalmadi quashed the rumours of Delhi's prospect of losing the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

As speculation mounts about Delhi’s prospect of losing the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi quashed the rumours saying the apprehension was baseless.

International media reported that security fears were clouding the Delhi Games – raising the prospect of a switch. “Security is a major issue. What is disturbing is that this (trend) has been continuing for the last nine months. In that backdrop, we continue to assess the situation, although we have not taken a definitive position,” Commonwealth Games Federation (CWGF) Chief Executive Mike Hooper was quoted as saying in the media.

“We have our own security consultants who would continue to monitor the situation in the country,” he said and added that “One can only speculate. It’s still too premature to comment on that (transferring the Games)”.

When contacted, CWG organising Committee Chairman Kalmadi told PTI that there was no chance of the Games being relocated.

“The Commonwealth Games will be held in Delhi in 2010 in October. The infrastructure is being readied for the event which is still around two years away,” Kalmadi said. Asked if the situation had changed in the backdrop of the Mumbai massacre, Kalmadi said, “There is no apprehension about it, no one in the Commonwealth Games Federation is talking about it.”

“When 9/11 happened in America or blasts in London stations, they came out with new and stricter security measures. We will also have strict measures for the high-profile event,” he said and added that “all aspects are being well taken care of.”

Kalmadi said the CGF delegation was satisfied with Pune’s staging of the Commonwealth Youth Games. The Australian Commonwealth Games Association is planning to send up to 550 athletes and officials to Delhi for the Games, due to be held from October 3-14.

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ACGA chief executive Perry Crosswhite said Australia would continue to monitor the situation in India. “There’s probably a new situation out there. Security in Delhi is something we continue to keep our minds on. We’re very close to the people in the High Commission there and the people in (the Department of) Foreign Affairs and Trade,” Crosswhite said.

“At some stage we’ll be seeking advice from Foreign Affairs and Trade on what is their recommended position in respect to the Games. But that’s some ways off.”

Crosswhite would not be drawn on the possibility of Australia staging the Games only four years after Melbourne. “Relocation is not for us to decide. Relocation would be up to the Commonwealth Games Association to decide. The Games have never been relocated so I’m doubtful that would happen,” he said.