No issue flying national flags at Games venues: Oz Commonwealth chief

DELHI - Rubbishing security concerns over Australia’s warnings that its citizens in Delhi should not fly national flags, Australian Commonwealth Games Federation chief Perry Crosswhite has said the Games venues are secure and there would be no issue there.

Security experts warned Australians travelling to India not to wear Aussie colours or T-shirts, and said citizens of Australia, the UK, Canada and New Zealand could be targets of a snatch attempt because their countries supported the war in Afghanistan.

Responding to warnings that the Australians in Delhi should not wear clothing that identified them as Australian, Crosswhite said it was up to the individual.

“If you are in a venue, those are secure so I don’t think there will be an issue there, it’s probably outside on the street … that’s probably an issue,” he said.

Crosswhite said he liked to identify himself as Australian at events and had worn a green and gold tracksuit in Delhi, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

He also said that he is disappointed with the withdrawal of Australian cyclist Travis Meyer and table tennis player Stephanie Sang from the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

“I’m the last one to say this is the last [but] the closer you get to the Games the less option there is,” Crosswhite said.

Athletes will be allowed to leave Delhi if they don’t feel comfortable. “We are not going to keep anybody here against their will,” Crosswhite said.

About 50 Australian athletes arrive in Delhi today and move into the Games village. They include the netball team; the lawn bowls team and gymnasts. (ANI)