Satisfied with security for the Delhi Commonwealth Games as of now but jittery nonetheless, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association on Friday said it continues to keep a "watching brief" on how things unfold in the run-up to the October 3-14 event.
"We sent out the latest security circulars (to athletes) last Friday and our main emphasis is to secure the airport, the venues, the village, the transport route and the hotels our people are staying at. At this stage we are satisfied, but it's a watching brief," said ACGA chief executive Perry Crosswhite.
“India will be providing both armed guards and undercover guards on buses. We are allowed to have our own security as long as we accredit them," Crosswhite told the Herald Sun.
Crosswhite said the it was a good sign that no Australian athlete has withdrawn from the event due to security concerns so far.
"The two issues we need to keep our eyes on are security and safety. No one has pulled out (because of concerns) and that's a credit to the coaches and federations and ourselves," he said.
The Australian, however, was concerned with the media reports of shoddy work at the Games venues but hoped that the problems would be taken care of before the show-piece event commences.
"One report said roads had been built with substandard materials. That can be fixed before the Games. There was a report a diver had fallen over a drain at the pool, but they just hadn't put the lid on the drain yet," he said.
"On the weekend there were photos of venues (looking dilapidated) but I have seen the photos inside those venues, and they look really good. The inside is what is important. We want to be assured the venues are of a safe standard.
"But we do have to accept we are probably not going to have things which we would consider to be totally finished in this country," he added. On Australian athletes’ medal prospects, Crosswhite admitted that it would be quite difficult for them to improve upon the tally they had achieved in Melbourne Games four years ago — 221, including 84 golds.
"We had a target that we wanted to do as well as in Melbourne, and everyone has said that will be hard to achieve, and I agree," he said. "I will be surprised if we achieve that. It wouldn't surprise me if we won 20 per cent less medals than Melbourne, but it also wouldn't surprise me if we went close.
This time England may really challenge us," he added.