Terror threat will not stop me pledges Cumbria bowls ace By Amanda Little
Source: newstand reader
Airey admits he does have some concerns about the security of competitors heading to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October since al-Qaida-linked militants threatened bomb attacks against both venues and spectators.
But the gold medal hopeful believes that if security is as tight as it was during his recent visit to the city for the Eight Nations Lawn Bowls tournament there should be no danger to competitors.
There have been mounting security fears in the wake of a double bomb blast at an Indian Premier League match in Bangalore, but Indian sports officials and police insist athletes and spectators at the Commonwealth Games will be safe.
Workington-born Airey, 38, who lives in Carlisle, said: “We were anxious before we went but the amount of police and armed guards involved in just our eight-nation tournament made me realise how tight security will be for the Commonwealth Games.
“I wouldn’t say I am 100 per cent OK about everything but if all the security is put in place then I wouldn’t have any reservations.
“I think everybody is worried but it’s not going to stop me going. Nobody would want to miss the commonwealth Games.”
Airey and England players and officials, including team chief and fellow Cumbrian John Bell, were escorted everywhere by machine gun-carrying police during their week in Delhi, and there was tight security at their hotel and the venue.
Airey said: “It was like something out of a film as we were greeted at the airport by armed guards and ushered on to a bus with blacked-out windows.
“We had two armed guards on the bus and escort vehicles at the front and back. We didn’t even stop at red lights as there were armed police at junctions to let us through.
“You couldn’t get into or out of the hotel without being screened.
“It was like being the American president because they were so hot on security. It was very thorough but you felt very safe.”
In December, Commonwealth Games England was forced to vehemently deny reports that it planned to pull out of the Games, which are set to be the biggest multiple-sport event staged in India since the 1982 Asian Games.
Last updated at 13:23, Thursday, 22 April 2010
Cumbrian bowls star Stuart Airey insists he will not pull out of the Commonwealth Games in India despite fears over the safety of competitors heading to the terror-stricken country.
Stuart Airey
But the gold medal hopeful believes that if security is as tight as it was during his recent visit to the city for the Eight Nations Lawn Bowls tournament there should be no danger to competitors.
There have been mounting security fears in the wake of a double bomb blast at an Indian Premier League match in Bangalore, but Indian sports officials and police insist athletes and spectators at the Commonwealth Games will be safe.
Workington-born Airey, 38, who lives in Carlisle, said: “We were anxious before we went but the amount of police and armed guards involved in just our eight-nation tournament made me realise how tight security will be for the Commonwealth Games.
“I wouldn’t say I am 100 per cent OK about everything but if all the security is put in place then I wouldn’t have any reservations.
“I think everybody is worried but it’s not going to stop me going. Nobody would want to miss the commonwealth Games.”
Airey and England players and officials, including team chief and fellow Cumbrian John Bell, were escorted everywhere by machine gun-carrying police during their week in Delhi, and there was tight security at their hotel and the venue.
Airey said: “It was like something out of a film as we were greeted at the airport by armed guards and ushered on to a bus with blacked-out windows.
“We had two armed guards on the bus and escort vehicles at the front and back. We didn’t even stop at red lights as there were armed police at junctions to let us through.
“You couldn’t get into or out of the hotel without being screened.
“It was like being the American president because they were so hot on security. It was very thorough but you felt very safe.”
In December, Commonwealth Games England was forced to vehemently deny reports that it planned to pull out of the Games, which are set to be the biggest multiple-sport event staged in India since the 1982 Asian Games.
First published at 11:34, Thursday, 22 April 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
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