Bolt's agent: No decision on CWG

Usain Bolt's foray into 400m will not happen soon, at least not this year. The 100m and 200m world record holder's agent Ricky Simms informed TOI that the Jamaican sprinter will stick to only the two sprints at the major events this year .

"He will only run 100m and 200m in the big meets," Simms told TOI on Monday, adding that the Jamaican could try out the quarter-mile in insignificant meets.

Meanwhile, Bolt's participation in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, later this year, remains a matter of speculation. Simms denied quotes attributed to him that the champion sprinter is unlikely to compete in the Games. "The situation remains that Usain and his coach will make a decision about the Games in June or July this year," Simms said.

The Delhi CWG will be held in October, at the fag end of a busy season, which might force many athletes to stay away. But the Indian Olympic Association is leaving no stone unturned to persuade Bolt to compete in the second-largest multi-discipline Games (in regards to the number of participating nations).

Bolt had expressed a wish to compete at the international level in the 400m, an event he considers among his favourites, leading to wide speculation that he would add the quarter-mile to his profile this year. A number of experts, while analysing Bolt's running style, feel that he would be well suited to 400m, a very technical race. Even Michael Johnson, the former 200m and current 400m world-record holder, thinks that it would be logical for Bolt to move to the quarter-mile.

Delhi Games security on track: Commonwealth Games Federation

Organising officials have expressed confidence in security planning for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

The Commonwealth Games Federation issued a statement on Tuesday dismissing recent comments expressing concern about security as "ill informed."

CGF president Michael Fennel says independent experts have found that "security planning for the games is on track".

Mr Fennell says security remains a key issue for Delhi organisers but Indian authorities are "working well to ensure a secure environment for the games."

Australian officials said on Monday that athletes will face an "acceptable" risk at the event to run from October 3-14.

Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite says the risk is manageable but it's up to athletes to decide if they'll attend.

"At this stage we have no reason to believe the Games will not be an acceptable level of risk," Mr Crosswhite told AAP.

"But that doesn't mean it can't change.

"(And) as to whether athletes go or not, that's their own decision. We don't force anyone to go to the Games."

Acting Foreign Minister Simon Crean told reporters in Melbourne that Australia's high commission in New Delhi had been in close contact with the Indian authorities.

"At this stage, we continue to say that there is no reason for concern," Mr Crean said.

Mr Crosswhite will meet with government officials, federal police and intelligence agencies in Canberra this week to discuss security arrangements for Delhi.

Hockey set to give New Delhi the test

Hockey's World Cup tournament in New Dehli is likely to be a litmus test for India's security planning ahead of the Commonwealth Games in October.

The tournament starts on February 28 in the face of mounting security concerns around major sporting events.

New Zealand assistant coach Darren Smith has no doubt their off-field experiences will be keenly followed.

Smith says Olympic Committee officials and other sports will be monitoring how they handle things.

Concerns around India's security have been raised again, with an Australian expert alarmed at Delhi's lack of preparation.

Netball: Holiday over, Ferns face Brisbane heat

The Silver Ferns' summer holidays have been cut short this year as they kick off their Commonwealth Games campaign with a 10-day training camp in Brisbane.

The full New Zealand squad, with the exception of injured defender Sheryl Scanlan, flew out to Brisbane yesterday for what coach Ruth Aitken describes as a "full-on conditioning camp".

Aitken said the next 10 days were about setting the tone for what would be a busy 18 months ahead, including the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October and the 2011 World Champs in Singapore.

The players will take part in four sessions a day, working with a range of sports science experts from the New Zealand Academy of Sport including strength and conditioning trainers, physiologists and power specialists.

"They're in for a hard slog," said Aitken.

"It's only 18 months through to Worlds in 2011 so we've got that real immediacy of a campaign upon us. We want to really lay the foundations in terms of the fitness levels, skills levels and some of the tactical side of things."

On top of the physical load, the players will have to contend with the Queensland heat, which Aitken hopes will prepare her side for the "uncomfortable conditions" in India.

While the balmy Brisbane weather is considerably different from the oppressive heat in India, Aitken believes the conditions will still be challenging.

"It is a different type of heat in India that's for sure, and it would have been nice to take them somewhere like Singapore, but that was just totally unrealistic with this number of people."

Following the team's return from Australia, the New Zealand coaching staff will not get their hands on the full squad again until July when trials will be held at the conclusion of the transtasman league.

With that in mind, players will be out to impress during the training camp and Aitken admits those making the trip over to Brisbane have an advantage when it comes to selecting her test side later this year. Barring any injuries or unforseen circumstances, the 12-strong team named for the test series against Jamaica and Australia will be the same 12 that will defend their Commonwealth Games gold medal in Delhi.

But the door is still open for players outside the current squad to stake their claim for a test position over the next six months.

Shooters Jodi Brown, Daneka Wipiiti and defender Leana de Bruin will all be returning to the selection fray this year after having babies in the past 12 months and Aitken said their road back would be through strong ANZ Championship seasons.

"The performances during ANZ are going to be hugely important and there is the opportunity for those players to come back in, there would obviously be a lot of learning that they would have to do as well if they come in a bit later," she said.

Aitken said the selectors considered taking Brown to Queensland, but a flare-up of a knee injury prevented the 28-time Fern from making the trip. She did not yet have enough strength in the knee.

BBC still negotiating for Delhi Games

British Broadcasting Corporation is still in negotiation stage with the Organising Committee (OC) of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, media reports said.

A report in the 'The Daily Telegraph' said even though OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi assured last month that the organisers have struck "good deals" with broadcasters in Britain, BBC, a traditional broadcaster, was yet to commit for the event.

"Negotiations are still ongoing and have yet to be finalised," the broadcasters were quoted as saying.

The daily also claimed being told recently by an official source that England might not send its contingent to Delhi for security reasons.

"The BBC refused to comment over fears that the broadcaster may be waiting for assurances from Commonwealth officials that the squad would be travelling in September before committing to any rights deal," the report said.

CGF gives thumbs up to Games security planning

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on Monday gave a thumbs up to the capital's security plans for the October 3-14 Games, dismissing "ill-informed" safety concerns in the media.

Reacting to reports doubting capital's security plans, CGF president Michael Fennell said in a statement that all those concerns were "ill informed" and security planning for the Games was firmly on track.

"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.

He said the CGF had full trust in its security advisor Intelligent Risks Pty Ltd (IR), which has vast Commonwealth, Olympic and multi-sport games experience.

"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.

"In contrast, IR is deeply involved with all levels of the security plan, and its analysis is being undertaken by operatives with senior command or managerial experience in international major events," Fennall said.

"We value their considered and informed view, which is, that the Indian authorities are working well, with appropriate resources being provided," Fennell said.

Fennell said both the Organising Committee and Delhi Police had put in place a mechanism and also pointed out that Home Minister P Chidambaram had established the International Security Liaison Group within his portfolio to ensure appropriate international cooperation on security for the Games.

"The Ministry and OC have advised there will be a second Games International Security Conference around June 2010 to keep all nations informed, and importantly, involved," Fennell said, adding the next comprehensive CGF security adviser's review is scheduled to take place in late February and early March.

BBC yet to commit to 2010 Commonwealth Games

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) says it has yet to reach an agreement to broadcast the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi despite the claims of chairman of Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi that they have struck "good deals with broadcasters in Australia and Britain".

Kalmadi last month had said that they had earned 37.5 million pounds -- 12.5 milion pounds more than the original target.

Australian broadcasters' Network Ten and Foxtel announced two years ago that they had secured TV rights for Delhi in a shared deal.

However, the BBC, which traditionally covers the event, was quoted as saying in the Telegraph Monday: "Negotiations are still ongoing and have yet to be finalised."

In November, Scottish first minister Alex Salmond attacked the BBC for failing to commit to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

MCD to get additional Rs 1,000 cr under JNNURM for Games-related projects

Three months after the state government released funds worth Rs 800 crore for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for Commonwealth Games-related projects, the cash-strapped civic agency is set to receive additional funds worth Rs 1,000 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

A letter from the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) received by the MCD on December 24 last year confirms that the Ministry will release an additional Rs 1,000 crore under the JNNURM to assist the body in carrying out development work related to the Commonwealth Games.

The MCD has 24 ongoing urban infrastructure projects for the Games. The amount will be released in multiple installments, MCD officials said.

The first installment of Rs 469.80 crore is likely to be released this month and will be used for funding the several multi-level automated parking lots proposed by the MCD for the Games. The parking lots will come up in areas like Shalimar Bagh, Pitampura, Ashok Vihar, Mohammedpur Village, Malviya Nagar, PVR Basant Lok, PVR Saket and Rajouri Garden.

Rs 148.61crore will be released later for strengthening of roads in Okhla Industrial Area Phases I and II. The MCD will use the subsequent installments for work related to covering of the nallah between Nauroji Nagar and Africa Avenue, work on improvement of other roads as well as constructing various grade separators and underpasses before the Games.

“We have already started work on several projects and schemes on the basis of the Delhi government’s commitment to provide us the requisite additional funds, but after these projects began there has been no release of funds. Some of these schemes were also under the JNNURM, for which no funds were released to us,” an MCD official said.

“Now that the state government has released finances and the MoUD has also assured us of the same, we hope to complete all projects on time,” he added.

Solar Rickshaws Ready for Delhi

After a series of technical delays, a solar rickshaw project in India is back on track in time to put 1,000 human-electric hybrids on the streets of Delhi in time for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in October.

With over 8 million human-powered pedicabs and motor-driven auto-rickshaws in India, the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) sought to give rickshaw drivers a boost with a specially designed battery-powered electric motor. Project goals include promoting both economic development and zero-emissions transportation.

The Soleckshaws, as they’re called them, can carry two passengers at 9 mph for about 25 miles per charge. When batteries run out, the solar-powered rickshaw driver will swap the exhausted cells for fully-charged ones at solar-powered charging stations, to be installed in major transport hubs.

In addition to giving rickshaw drivers a hand in climbing steep hills, the electric motor could help stop the spread of disease in crowded Indian cities. CSIR director Samir Brahmachari told India Today that the average rickshaw driver is malnourished, getting only 1,600 calories a day when more than 4,000 are necessary to pedal customers around cities. Currently, “a quarter of the rickshaw pullers could get TB because of malnutrition,” Brahmachari said.

The Soleckshaw project was first conceived in 2008, but prototypes failed to withstand the rigors of driving in busy streets, such as Delhi’s Chandni Chowk market district. “The trouble is that when the vehicle has to stop and start rapidly in a place like Chandni Chowk, the motors get damaged,” Pradip K. Sarmah, executive director of the Centre for Rural Development, told India Today. Sarmah, whose agency promotes Soleckshaws for job growth and environmental benefit, said that future models would be customized for specific routes.

Patten develops new passion for swimming

PLYMOUTH Olympic medallist Cassie Patten says she's fallen in love with swimming again.

The 22-year-old, who became an instant star when she won a bronze medal in the gruelling 10km open water final in Beijing in 2008, admits last year was not a good one for her.

But Patten, who has family in Plymouth, says she is enjoying swimming once more – and is looking forward to the qualifying rounds for this year's Commonwealth Games, due to be held in New Delhi.

The former Plymouth Leander swimming club stand-out, who moved to the powerful Stockport Metro club to enhance her career, was up as usual for her 5.30am training session yesterday – and admitted she was enjoying it.

She said: "I am very good at the moment and I've been training really hard. The other day, I tried to get out of my door at 5.30am as usual and found I couldn't because it was blocked by about a foot of snow.

"I waited for a while, then managed to get out and walk to the Aquatic Centre, which luckily isn't very far from where I live, so I could have a training session. I think, if it had been last year, I would have gone back to bed."

Patten admitted: "Last year, I had quite a bad year.

"It was quite hard to come back from the Olympics and pick things up again.

"My love for swimming has always been there, but last year wasn't so good and I wasn't enjoying it. This year, I've got the love back and I'm definitely really motivated."

Patten is training and competing in South Africa for six weeks before the qualifying rounds for the Commonwealth Games in Sheffield during March.

She will be competing in a mile race and a 10km event, then training during a four-week camp before returning to Stockport Metro.

Later in the year, she will be competing in the World 10km Championships in Canada.

The swimmer, who is equally adept at indoor pool or open water competitions, moved north more than a year ago to sharpen up her performance.

Previously, she had been at Plymouth College and swam for Plymouth Leander from the ages of 11 to 18.

Included in her growing CV is a bronze medal in the 400metres and silver in the 800m at the British Championships in 2006, a bronze and a silver at the championships the following year and a silver in the 800m freestyle in her third championships.

Patten's Olympic success was foreshadowed by an impressive silver in the 10km freestyle at the 2007 World Championship, where she was just three seconds behind gold medallist Larisa Ilchenko. As well as winning a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics, she also reached the finals of the 800m.

NZ confirms its participation for Commonwealth Games

Australian athletes may be having second thoughts about touring India for the Commonwealth Games but New Zealand will participate in this year's event after all it's athletes were assured of their security.

The security in the India during the October 3-14 Games has been a major concern for many participating nations and still there are countries who have not confirmed their visit for the event.

However, the head of New Zealand Olympic Committee Mike Stanley said he has been given assurances about the safety of New Zealand athletes.

''We understand that the measures that will in place for Delhi will be adequate to make sure that our team is safe and if we weren't of that view, then we would review our participation, but currently we have no new information and are planning to be in Delhi,'' Stanley was quoted as saying by The New Zealand Herald.

Stanley claimed that his sources of information are reliable so there was little hessitation in taking the decision.

International security consultant Lloyd Bromfield, who has worked at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympic Games and will work at the London Olympics in 2012, said he was alarmed by New Delhi's lack of preparation for this year's Commonwealth Games and has asked Australia to reconsider sending its athletes unless security is dramatically improved.

Road race athletes 'vulnerable' in Delhi

Australian walker Nathan Deakes believes athletes competing in road events at this year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi are particularly vulnerable to terrorist attack.

"With us being a road event it probably leaves us a bit more exposed to an incident happening more so than a lot of other events," the reigning Commonwealth Games 20km and 50km walk champion told AAP on Monday.

His comments come after Commonwealth Games security expert Lloyd Bromfield claimed the safety of athletes at the games, which will take place in October, could not be guaranteed.

"In my opinion, it is a dangerous environment, there is no way the Indian authorities can guarantee anything," he told News Limited on the weekend.

"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 at this early stage Deakes has no intention of pulling out.

"Before everything came out over the weekend and before the reports came out that the English team may not go, we had never thought about the possibility of terrorism or security being a bit of an issue," he said.

"At this stage it is too far out to make a decision about whether to go or not but at this stage it is still something that is definitely on the radar for myself and most of the guys in our squad."

Deakes remembers a similar security scare in the lead up to the 2004 Athens Olympics in which he won a bronze medal in the 20km walk.

"We had a similar issue before Athens where they had a bombing a few months before and there was obviously security problems and security issues before then and everything seemed to go off fine," he said.

With the Winter Olympics in Vancouver to begin on February 12 the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) says there are no security concerns for that event.

"There is no known security threat to the games in Vancouver that we are aware of but the Foreign Affairs Department is monitoring the situation and they keep us advised of any developments," AOC media director Mike Tancred told AAP.

"None of our athletes have raised any concerns with us."