AUSTRALIAN Commonwealth Games officials are reviewing security advice every 24 hours amid fears of terrorist attacks during the 2010 Games in Delhi.
As England reportedly considers pulling out of the Games, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association said there were heightened concerns for the safety of competitors on the volatile subcontinent.
The association's chief executive Perry Crosswhite said the team was scheduled to attend the Games in October, but the safety of athletes would always be paramount.
"There are reassessments every day," he said.
"I think you have to continue to have a watching brief on it. This is a part of the world where there has been some recent problems and we've just got to make sure they doesn't happen during these Games."
The latest travel advice for India warns of "the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups." The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advice adds: "We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in India at this time."
The association's chief executive Perry Crosswhite said the team was scheduled to attend the Games in October, but the safety of athletes would always be paramount.
"There are reassessments every day," he said.
"I think you have to continue to have a watching brief on it. This is a part of the world where there has been some recent problems and we've just got to make sure they doesn't happen during these Games."
The latest travel advice for India warns of "the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups." The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advice adds: "We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in India at this time."
Mr Crosswhite said the team's security plans were already being stepped up, with more AFP agents to accompany Australian athletes than ever before.
Crosswhite said Australia remained committed to the Games where it's expected to field one of the largest teams numbering 400 athletes and coaches.
For the first time, AFP bodyguards will stay with the team in the Games village, he said.
And he was confident the Games would go on even if England withdrew.
"Absolutely. The Games will happen. Whether it's only one team out of 71 nations, it won't be good for the Games, but they will happen,'' said Crosswhite.
Netballer Bianca Chatfield said she hoped to compete in Delhi, but was worried about the risks of an attack.
"It's definitely concerning and something I'm sure as a team we will probably talk about in our preparations," she said.
Security expert and former ASIO agent Mike Roach said a decision on whether Australia would attend will be made close to the opening ceremony.
He said up to 90 AFP agents would have to travel to Delhi to protect the anticipated 440-strong team.
Crosswhite also attended the security briefing in Delhi this month - and while he said the sub-continent was an "`unstable'' part of the world - he was pleased with the progress of the local officials.
"I'm not a security expert but they've employed people that are and the reports are good,'' he said.
"These days security is a major issue everywhere.
"Nothing would surprise me with people making comments with security in Delhi - it just seems that everybody has become an expert.''
Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported England was seriously considering pulling out of the Games.
The London Daily Telegraph reported British police and security advisers were concerned their team could be targeted by Pakistani terrorists at the Games and felt that athletes' safety couldn't be guaranteed at present.
It said Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would almost certainly follow suit if England withdrew and cast doubt on whether the Games could go ahead.
And he was confident the Games would go on even if England withdrew.
"Absolutely. The Games will happen. Whether it's only one team out of 71 nations, it won't be good for the Games, but they will happen,'' said Crosswhite.
Netballer Bianca Chatfield said she hoped to compete in Delhi, but was worried about the risks of an attack.
"It's definitely concerning and something I'm sure as a team we will probably talk about in our preparations," she said.
Security expert and former ASIO agent Mike Roach said a decision on whether Australia would attend will be made close to the opening ceremony.
He said up to 90 AFP agents would have to travel to Delhi to protect the anticipated 440-strong team.
Crosswhite also attended the security briefing in Delhi this month - and while he said the sub-continent was an "`unstable'' part of the world - he was pleased with the progress of the local officials.
"I'm not a security expert but they've employed people that are and the reports are good,'' he said.
"These days security is a major issue everywhere.
"Nothing would surprise me with people making comments with security in Delhi - it just seems that everybody has become an expert.''
Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported England was seriously considering pulling out of the Games.
The London Daily Telegraph reported British police and security advisers were concerned their team could be targeted by Pakistani terrorists at the Games and felt that athletes' safety couldn't be guaranteed at present.
It said Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would almost certainly follow suit if England withdrew and cast doubt on whether the Games could go ahead.
But England Commonwealth Games officials denied a pull-out was likely.
Australia's military role in Afghanistan is seen as a possible motivation for terrorist attacks against athletes competing in India.
The risks to sports stars the region was emphasised in March when members of the Sri Lankan cricket team were attacked in Lahore, Pakistan.
The deadly Mumbai terrorist attacks in late 2008 showed even India's biggest city was vulnerable to armed fanatics.
Australia's military role in Afghanistan is seen as a possible motivation for terrorist attacks against athletes competing in India.
The risks to sports stars the region was emphasised in March when members of the Sri Lankan cricket team were attacked in Lahore, Pakistan.
The deadly Mumbai terrorist attacks in late 2008 showed even India's biggest city was vulnerable to armed fanatics.
There has been recent precedent for teams pulling out of events in India over security fears.
Australia was forced to forfeit a Davis Cup tennis tie after refusing to play it in Chennai as scheduled earlier this year and England's badminton team pulled out of the world championships in Hyderabad.
Organisers are preparing for nearly 8000 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories for the October 3-14 Games.
Australia was forced to forfeit a Davis Cup tennis tie after refusing to play it in Chennai as scheduled earlier this year and England's badminton team pulled out of the world championships in Hyderabad.
Organisers are preparing for nearly 8000 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories for the October 3-14 Games.
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