Way back in 2003 it must have seemed like a great idea to have the Commonwealth Games in colourful, on-the-move Delhi instead of the other front-runner, Hamilton in Ontario Canada.
But in 2010 the decision by the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly to send hundreds of fresh-faced athletes from 72 nations into a hotbed of terror threats and general chaos now looks, at the very best, reckless.
At worst, the Federation could end up sacrificing athletes and spectators to an unjustified cause. While acknowledging the strength of the argument to pull out now would “mean the terrorists win” – knowingly putting people in harms way won’t achieve anything.
Whose fault will it be if everyone’s worst fears about terrorism at Delhi 2010 are realised? First and foremost, of course, the blame will lie with proponents of terror.
But from the Commonwealth Games Federation down through every national sporting body taking part in the Games, there should be a reassessment of priorities.
What’s more important - making a point or the safety of a swathe of young people who didn’t sign up to take part in the War on Terror?
It’s a cop out to say it’s up to each athlete and their families to decide whether or not to attend the Games, which start on October 3.
Right now the Australian Government’s own travel advisory urges a “high degree of caution” for New Delhi.
The DFAT summary of the situation in India makes for troubling reading. Highlights include:
“We continue to receive reporting that terrorists plan to attack public places, including hotels and tourist locations, in New Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities. Terrorists may also be planning attacks against Indian political and security interests.
We also continue to receive reports about possible terrorist attacks against markets frequented by foreigners in New Delhi.”
The attacks are not just “possible”.
“On 19 September 2010, two foreign nationals were injured in a shooting incident at the Jama Masjid Mosque in New Delhi. Investigations are underway into the incident.”
Any normal tourist with a brain would read the DFAT website and decide to travel elsewhere – but we expect our young runners, jumpers and paddlers to ignore the advice.
We expect their parents to weigh up their strong desire to watch their children’s defining moments and their own personal safety.
Do we need to warn 10-year-old would-be gymnasts now that if they want to win gold one day they might be called upon to stare down a terrorist on behalf of the rest of us sitting at home watching on our flat screens?
We have a bizarre situation now where Grant Hackett, a swimmer, is urging authorities to step up security and call in the army.
I don’t recall Kieren Perkins having to take the lead on matters of geo-political security when he was face of sporting leadership in this country.
Hackett, who warned the Australian team not to venture beyond the confines of the athlete’s village, said: “This is not an over-reaction and it’s a common sense approach to what is a volatile situation. Our athletes’ safety and security should be top priority.”
He’s right. It’s not an over-reaction.
If the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai proved anything, it’s that Indian authorities are totally incapable of conducting a slick security operation.
And the chaotic preparation of the venues for the Delhi Games have proved Indian authorities are incapable of conducting the slick operation of just about anything.
The arguments in favour of allowing cities such as Delhi to host major international events include that it gives them an opportunity to prove themselves on the world stage and that bringing nations inside the tent allows the rest of the world a greater positive influence on them.
The inside the tent argument was a compelling counter argument to the many people who said Beijing should not have been awarded the 2008 Olympics because of its appalling human rights record. Ignoring them doesn’t make it go away.
But India’s a different case, and Hamilton, Canada’s looking pretty good right now.
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