Schoolchildren play with Commonwealth Games mascot Shera at their school in Ghaziabad.
Australian track and field athletes are having a second thought about participating in next month's Commonwealth Games after receiving an e-mail from the national federation, warning them of "a high risk of terrorist attack" on the mega-event in Delhi.
"There is a high risk of terrorist
attack in New Delhi. Since 2000, there have been at least 14 major terrorist attacks in New Delhi on locations such as markets, train stations and other public places," Athletics Australia stated in the mail.
"These attacks have caused hundreds of deaths and injuries. Australians in New Delhi should be aware that the Commonwealth Games will be held in a security environment where there is a high risk of terrorism.
"We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in India at this time because of the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups," Daily Telegraph quoted the mail.
This development came to light just two days after Commonwealth Games Association chief Perry Crosswhite's statement that they were not thinking about skipping the October 3-14 event.
"We are still planning to go and we have been told there is an acceptable level of risk," Crosswhite had told Channel 10's The 7 pm Project.
His comment, however, could not satisfy the CWG-bound athletes.
"If that's the case, then what is acceptable? It's definitely weighing on my mind," an anonymous athlete was quoted as saying by a daily.
"It's quite scary. This is my fifth Games and I've never had emails like this before," said relay runner Tamsyn Lewis.