Commonwealth Games Federation dismiss reports of sub-standard security

The Commonwealth Games Federation has condemned reports security would be substandard at the Delhi Games, insisting the comments were "ill-informed" and that security planning for the Games was on track.

A Sydney Sunday newspaper quoted Australian security consultant Lloyd Bromfield saying he was alarmed by New Delhi's lack of preparation and this left athletes at risk of terrorist attacks. CGF president Michael Fennell said its own security adviser, a rival Australian company Intelligent Risks, had assured him the Indians had dedicated appropriate resources to providing a secure environment for the Games.

"The CGF regards the safety and security of the Games, for athletes and spectators alike, as being of paramount importance and of the highest priority," Fennell said.

"IR has vast Commonwealth, Olympic and multi-sport games experience and, importantly, has a detailed knowledge of what is actually being done with security for Delhi.

"A number of recent media reports on Games' security come from comments by those who have not worked on any aspect of security planning for the Delhi 2010 Games, and do not have any serious knowledge of the detailed plans across all aspects being put in place by local authorities."

Fennell said the Delhi organising committee had appointed internationally respected Indian government and police officials to head security operations.