MELBOURNE: In a boost to pullout-ridden Commonwealth Games, veteran Olympic medallist Australian swimmer Geoff Huegill has downplayed security concerns and said he is committed to contesting in the mega event in India.
Huegill said he had spoken to quite a few of his colleagues and they were excited about competing in Delhi rather than concerned about security issues.
Huegill, 2000 Sydney Olympic 50 metres butterfly bronze medallist, however, criticised Commonwealth Games organisers for their lackadaisical approach in the preparations for the Games.
"It's a little bit distressing, from an athlete's point of view, for the fact that the organisers couldn't get it prepared on time, and they did take a lackadaisical approach to it. That's a little disappointing," Huegill, one of the most experienced members of the 46-strong Australian swimming squad, was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press.
"But I guess these are lessons learnt for all of the future countries going to be hosting major events," said Huegill, who is returning to a major international competition following an extended break after 2004 Olympics in Athens.
The Australian squad will arrive in India on Wednesday after leaving Sydney yesterday for a camp in Kuala Lumpur and Eamon Sullivan said the camp in Malaysia would give any swimmer wavering over going to India the opportunity to make a final decision.
The 2004 Olympic 100m freestyle silver medallist said Australian officials were doing the right by thing by allowing each athlete to decide whether or not they wanted to compete in Delhi.
"I think everyone seems to be forgetting about the mosquitoes. That's going to be a very interesting one. You definitely have to take precautions," Sullivan said.
