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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Prime Minister John Key expects New Zealand athletes to compete at next month's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi despite a shooting targeting tourists in the Indian capital on Sunday. New Zealand Olympic officials Monday were seeking more information on the shooting of two Taiwanese tourists, which occurred just days before the first of the foreign athletes are due to arrive in India for the Commonwealth Games.
"We are providing the best advice we can to the New Zealand Olympic Committee who have to make that decision by Sept. 24 whether to travel to Dehli or not," Key told Radio New Zealand.
"I understand there has been extensive work looking through the Commonwealth Games village .
and other security areas.
"One always takes these things seriously but we are also very hopeful that the Commonwealth Games will proceed, that New Zealand will go and do very well." Dave Currie, the chef de mission of the New Zealand team, is in New Delhi making a final assessment of security arrangements for the games, checking the state of venues, the athletes' village and other facilities.
He was due to complete his inspection later this week and to report his findings to the New Zealand Olympic Committee. At a news conference prior to his departure for New Delhi, Currie said New Zealand would raise any concerns highlighted by his visit with games organizers.
New Zealand has yet to make a final commitment to attend the games, leaving that decision open until Currie's mission has been completed. "We're working on the premise the Games are going to go ahead, and we'll be part of it," Currie said.
The head of New Zealand's Athletes Federation, Rob Nichol, said he was not surprised by the latest attack. "It's important to remain reasonably calm and continue to have a bit of faith in the process," he told Radio New Zealand.
"It's definitely concerning, but it's not something that should necessarily result in a 180 degree shift. "We always plan and ask questions around the worst-case scenario, because the reality is Delhi and India are at high risk of terrorist attack and there is a Commonwealth Games being staged there.
"If the athletes are going to go and if the games are going to go ahead then you have to have security measures in place." More than 7,000 athletes and officials are due to attend the Oct.
3-14 New Delhi Games. New Zealand is working with Britain, Australia and Canada to monitor security in New Delhi.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee relies on government agencies for security advice.
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