Aus Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite feels the issue of unprepared venues in Delhi is blown out of proportion
Aus Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite feels the issue of unprepared venues in Delhi is blown out of proportion
Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite has called for "balance" in reporting of the New Delhi Games.
Releasing pictures of six venues -- the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, to be used for the opening ceremony and athletics, and the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee swim complex, nearing completion, as also arenas for gymnastics, hockey, netball and track cycling, Crosswhite said: "Suggestions our athletes are going there to compete in rubble, it's nonsense.
"Yes construction is behind. We know that. But it's time for some balance in the reporting of this issue -- time our body was given a fair go -- because right now, there are also several venues ready for competition."
Crosswhite reacted brusquely to the security concern for the Australian competitors from swimming great Dawn Fraser, who questioned the organisers' ability to prevent a terrorist attack like the 1972 Munich massacre.
"Look, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But I was in Munich and in Montreal four years later, when soldiers travelled on our buses.
"I was in Los Angeles in 1984, too, when snipers were situated on the rooftop.
"It's because of what happened in Munich that security is now so strict. It's why we've got the High Commission involved. And if the highest possible security measures aren't in place we won't be going."
