Games chief defends Delhi security measures

Commonwealth Games chiefs hit back Monday at what they said were “ill-informed” comments regarding security arrangements for the 2010 edition in Delhi in October.

Last weekend Lloyd Bromfield, a security consultant who has worked at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics, warned of a “dangerous environment” in India and said he wouldn’t want his family to be in Delhi during the Games.

“In my opinion, it is a dangerous environment, there is no way the Indian authorities can guarantee anything,” Bromfield told Australia’s News Limited media group.

“I wish the Commonwealth Games could go ahead and be safe and secure. But to be honest, I’ve got two sons, I wouldn’t have them go there.”

But the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), in a statement issued Monday, said it had deemed such comments as “ill informed” and, based on advice from its own independent experts, security planning for the Games was “on track”.

CGF president Michael Fennell added: “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.

Last month a report in Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper — since denied by English sports authorities — said England was mulling pulling out due to fears of attacks by Pakistani militants in Delhi.

There have been widespread concerns about security in India, which has seen a host of militant attacks in recent years, most notably an assault on Mumbai in 2008 that left 166 people dead.

But Fennell said the CGF was working closely with Indian police and security authorities and that their security planning for the Games pre-dated the attacks in Mumbai.

“In 2005, the CGF appointed leading international experts, Intelligent Risks Pty Ltd (IR), as our security advisers for Delhi 2010,” he 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.”

Fennell added: “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.”

He also explained that security was reviewed on a regular basis.

“The next comprehensive CGF security adviser’s review is scheduled to take place in late February and early March,” Fennell said.

“Naturally, we will share a summary of their report with all Commonwealth countries and territories.

“I am please to report that, where it counts most — with our members — cool heads prevail, and their planning remains on track to bring the athletes of the Commonwealth to Delhi in October this year.”

But, regardless of security concerns, some eligible athletes may not compete in Delhi.

For example the agent of Usain Bolt, the 100 and 200 metres Olympic and world champion, said last week the timing of the Games would interfere with the Jamaica sprinter’s preparations for the 2011 athletics season.

The Commonwealth is an organisation largely made up of nations that were once part of the now defunct British Empire.