Melbourne:
Three-time gold medallist relay runner Tamsyn Lewis has pulled out of the Commonwealth Games citing injury, even as star Australian cyclists Mark Renshaw and Mathew Hayman are still undecided about travelling to Delhi due to sanitation and security issues.
The 32-year-old Lewis said her performance was not up to the mark as she is suffering from a tendinitis problem in her knee and did not want to risk long-term damage by participating in what would have been her fifth Commonwealth Games.
"This is a very difficult decision but I am desperate to compete at the World Championships next year and in London in 2012 and so that's the big picture for me," said Lewis, who was hoping to defend Australia's gold medal in the 4x400m women's relay.
"It's not about security and hygiene but my times are about two seconds slower than my best and I want the best for the relay team and I would hamper our prospects," said Lewis, who informed Athletics Australia last night about her decision.
While she has made her decision, defending champion in cycling road race Mathew Hayman and team-mate Mark Renshaw are still apprehensive about their participation in the crisis-hit Delhi Games.
Hayman said his family is worried about his safety and he would take a decision only after the road World Championships in Geelong, which ends on October 3, the opening day of the Games.
Hayman, who won the gold medal at the Melbourne Games four years ago, is part of the five-man road team scheduled to participate in Delhi on October 10, seven days after the Games starts.
"At this stage I haven't withdrawn ... but I've got some concerns about going," Hayman was quoted as saying in the 'Herald Sun'.
"I was reading things about extra security and talk about sniper helicopters (following the race for protection) but it's not really the place you want to be.
"Hiding in buses and getting to and from a race like that doesn't sound like fun."
The cycling event of the Commonwealth Games has already been hit by star pull outs with British quartet of Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh, Ian Stannard and Ben Swift today opting out of the October 3-14 mega-event, citing fears of santination problems in the Athletes Village and security issues.
"Last week after the shootings - I've got a lovely wife and family and friends that have expressed concern about me going," said Hayman.
"(But) on the other hand I always love representing my country. It's a tough call," said the 32-year-old.
Hayman said he was also troubled by reports of an outbreak of dengue fever in Delhi but wouldn't make a decision about pulling out until after the world championships.
"We don't need to make a decision right now," he said.
His compatriot cyclist Renshaw also has similar concerns and said he would take a call after consulting with Australian officials and Mark Cavendish at the world championship.
"It's really difficult. I have got parents who don't want me to go, and my fiancee won't say go or not go," said Renshaw, a strong contender for the gold medal.
"She just wants the best, but I will touch base with some of the Australian managers in the next few days. Also the problem is the mosquitoes and dengue fever. It's a bit of a worry.
"So at the moment I am committed to going but if anything gets worse, it won't take much to persuade me to pull the pin," he said.
"I was looking forward to it until I came back here to Australia and now the thought of going to India and just the way it's been covered in Australia, it's pretty daunting," he added.
Australian women's road champion Ruth Corset is also scared to tour Delhi.
"It is quite scary, but there's the go-ahead (from officials)," Corset said.
Corset said as of now she is positive about leaving for Delhi as she was assured that extra security along the 10km circuit, including "aerial security" during the race.
However, another Aussie cyclist Allan Davis said riding in Delhi is no risk to life.
"I'm planning to go. I'm at tranquillity at the moment, I don't see it as a risk," he said.
He, however, added that he would review his position during the next fortnight.
"That's normal if you're going to risk your life and your health," he said. "You have to weigh it up."
Davis was busy in finishing the three-week Vuelta a Espana and was not total aware about the developments relating to the Commonwealth Games.
"I am paying more attention to it now that I have just arrived," Davis said as he arrived in Canberra.
"It's a little worrying, but we've been getting emails all year with security updates. The athletes will be fine. I'm a little more worried about family and friends. They'll be more vulnerable," he added.
A 2006 road race bronze medallist, Davis still plans to go ahead with his plans to tour Delhi but said he would assess the risks in the next few days.
"You don't know what sort of way terrorists think. You don't know what could happen. Fingers crossed that everything is OK, security is on guard and it is a great Commonwealth Games and that they are portrayed by the performances and results rather than all that," he said.
The 32-year-old Lewis said her performance was not up to the mark as she is suffering from a tendinitis problem in her knee and did not want to risk long-term damage by participating in what would have been her fifth Commonwealth Games.
"This is a very difficult decision but I am desperate to compete at the World Championships next year and in London in 2012 and so that's the big picture for me," said Lewis, who was hoping to defend Australia's gold medal in the 4x400m women's relay.
"It's not about security and hygiene but my times are about two seconds slower than my best and I want the best for the relay team and I would hamper our prospects," said Lewis, who informed Athletics Australia last night about her decision.
While she has made her decision, defending champion in cycling road race Mathew Hayman and team-mate Mark Renshaw are still apprehensive about their participation in the crisis-hit Delhi Games.
Hayman said his family is worried about his safety and he would take a decision only after the road World Championships in Geelong, which ends on October 3, the opening day of the Games.
Hayman, who won the gold medal at the Melbourne Games four years ago, is part of the five-man road team scheduled to participate in Delhi on October 10, seven days after the Games starts.
"At this stage I haven't withdrawn ... but I've got some concerns about going," Hayman was quoted as saying in the 'Herald Sun'.
"I was reading things about extra security and talk about sniper helicopters (following the race for protection) but it's not really the place you want to be.
"Hiding in buses and getting to and from a race like that doesn't sound like fun."
The cycling event of the Commonwealth Games has already been hit by star pull outs with British quartet of Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh, Ian Stannard and Ben Swift today opting out of the October 3-14 mega-event, citing fears of santination problems in the Athletes Village and security issues.
"Last week after the shootings - I've got a lovely wife and family and friends that have expressed concern about me going," said Hayman.
"(But) on the other hand I always love representing my country. It's a tough call," said the 32-year-old.
Hayman said he was also troubled by reports of an outbreak of dengue fever in Delhi but wouldn't make a decision about pulling out until after the world championships.
"We don't need to make a decision right now," he said.
His compatriot cyclist Renshaw also has similar concerns and said he would take a call after consulting with Australian officials and Mark Cavendish at the world championship.
"It's really difficult. I have got parents who don't want me to go, and my fiancee won't say go or not go," said Renshaw, a strong contender for the gold medal.
"She just wants the best, but I will touch base with some of the Australian managers in the next few days. Also the problem is the mosquitoes and dengue fever. It's a bit of a worry.
"So at the moment I am committed to going but if anything gets worse, it won't take much to persuade me to pull the pin," he said.
"I was looking forward to it until I came back here to Australia and now the thought of going to India and just the way it's been covered in Australia, it's pretty daunting," he added.
Australian women's road champion Ruth Corset is also scared to tour Delhi.
"It is quite scary, but there's the go-ahead (from officials)," Corset said.
Corset said as of now she is positive about leaving for Delhi as she was assured that extra security along the 10km circuit, including "aerial security" during the race.
However, another Aussie cyclist Allan Davis said riding in Delhi is no risk to life.
"I'm planning to go. I'm at tranquillity at the moment, I don't see it as a risk," he said.
He, however, added that he would review his position during the next fortnight.
"That's normal if you're going to risk your life and your health," he said. "You have to weigh it up."
Davis was busy in finishing the three-week Vuelta a Espana and was not total aware about the developments relating to the Commonwealth Games.
"I am paying more attention to it now that I have just arrived," Davis said as he arrived in Canberra.
"It's a little worrying, but we've been getting emails all year with security updates. The athletes will be fine. I'm a little more worried about family and friends. They'll be more vulnerable," he added.
A 2006 road race bronze medallist, Davis still plans to go ahead with his plans to tour Delhi but said he would assess the risks in the next few days.
"You don't know what sort of way terrorists think. You don't know what could happen. Fingers crossed that everything is OK, security is on guard and it is a great Commonwealth Games and that they are portrayed by the performances and results rather than all that," he said.
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