Champion Kiwi runner happy with Delhi security

Nick Willis said he is happy with the security arrangements for the Commonwealth Games.

Wellington: Defending 1,500 metre champion Nick Willis said he is happy with the security arrangements for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, after the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) decided to take a final call on participation in the Games following assessment by chef-de-mission Dave Currie.

Currie left for Delhi on a 10-day trip to assess the security situation in the Games Village, New Zealand Herald reported Tuesday. Kiwi athlete Willis seems to feel secure about the Oct 3-14 Games but will only arrive in Delhi a day before he competes. NZOC will make a final decision on whether to send a team to Delhi in the next 10 days. Willis, also a silver medallist in the 1500m in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, told Radio Sport that he hasn’t thought twice about the possibility of withdrawing.‘I would be very surprised if NZOC made the decision to pull out because you often see these headlines come up but nothing eventuates from them,’ Willis was quoted as saying. Willis will prepare for the Games in Hong Kong and head to Delhi from there.The Games buildup has been marred by security issues, missed deadlines, allegations of corruption and, most recently, a dengue fever outbreak. IANS