Olympic star David Davies tells his parents not to travel to Delhi

A British Olympic star has told his By Stephen Davies parents not to fly out to watch him at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi because he fears for their safety.

David Davies, a silver medallist at the Beijing Olympics two years ago, is so concerned about the possibility of a terrorist attack that he plans to make his Indian experience the briefest possible - and he does not want his mum and dad to have any part of it.

I'm planning to fly in and, as soon as the job is done, fly straight out,' said Davies. 'I've told my parents not to go. I'd be worried about them walking around the streets. I don't want that on my mind.'

The Welshman's outburst comes just days after a group with Al-Qaeda links uttered their starkest warning yet that the Commonwealth Games are a target for a terror attack.

And it must cast doubt over any of the teams from Britain participating in the event. Commonwealth Games England, one of the organising bodies, are insisting preparations are carrying on as usual.

But heptathlon world champion Jessica Ennis, her rival Kelly Sotherton and the fastest man on earth, Jamaica's Usain Bolt, have already ruled themselves out of travelling to the event which takes place in the Indian capital from October 3-14.

England's double world gymnastic champion Beth Tweddle will not be taking part and many other stars are still undecided over whether to attend.

Davies, the 2006 Commonwealth Games champion at 1500metres, added: 'It should be purely about sport but that's not the way the world works. Politics and sport are interlinked now.

'It's the biggest issue we've had at any event so it is a bit more worrying. But I have confidence in the people who look after us and in our security.'

Another athlete with reservations about going is 29-year-old English hurdler Andy Turner, a medallist in Melbourne four years ago.

The father of two daughters said: 'I have a family to think about. You hear about all the problems out there - people shooting at cricketers and other countries not sending teams out.

'You have to ask yourself whether it's worth it.'

More than 8,000 athletes from 71 nations are expected to attend, but there has been a shadow cast over the two-week jamboree ever since the Mumbai bombings in 2008.

Then, last August, fears of a terrorist threat saw England's badminton team withdraw from the World Championships in Hyderabad, although the competition passed without incident.

Now, a statement from a splinter group calling themselves the 313 Brigade, has mentioned specific targets as next week's Hockey World Cup, cricket's Indian Premier League and the Commonwealth Games, though organisers of all three events are playing down the threat.

David Faulkner, the England hockey performance director, was waiting for detailed security plans concerning the team hotel and transportation to competition venues.

He said: 'We've had a positive communication from the FIH (International Hockey Federation) and there is a briefing taking place this week which the British High Commission are managing on our behalf.'

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Hooper poured scorn on suggestions the competition should be moved to another country.

He said: 'The Games will not be shifted, make no mistake. The Games in 2010 will be in Delhi, there is no Plan B.

'From a planning and security point of view, there is nothing to my knowledge that would suggest that security planning for the Games is not on track. The commitment is unwavering from the Indian government to deliver a safe and secure Games.'