His plea came as Australia's Chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti spoke of the shock that has fallen over the Commonwealth Games here following the tragedy. 

Flight MH17, travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was allegedly shot down on Thursday (July 17) by a missile fired by pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine, killing everyone on board, including 28 Australians.

Many of the victims were en route to the 20th anniversary AIDS 2014 conference in Melbourne.

"I spoke to Datuk Ong Poh Eng, the Malaysian Chef de Mission, early today and assured him of our support," said Moneghetti.

"Among our team we held a minute's silence.

"There will be flags at half-mast in the [Athletes'] Village."

Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol before taking-off on its ill-fated flight to Kuala Lumpur ©AFP/Getty Images

The President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Prince Imran, is from Malaysia.

He arrived in Scotland yesterday having travelled from Rio de Janeiro, where he had been attending the FIFA World Cup.

Bach is due to travel here for the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games at Celtic Park on Wednesday (July 23), where he will be accompanied by Prince Imran.

"This sudden and senseless loss of life has come as a terrible shock to the entire world," said Bach.

"During this period of mourning, I would like to reiterate my plea from the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.

"I called on everyone implicated in confrontation to act on the Olympic message of dialogue and peace; to have the courage to enter into direct personal dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect, good will and peace.

"The thoughts and sympathies of everyone at the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Movement are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic event."

The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) - which Prince Imran also heads - have made no official comment on the tragedy yet beyond retweeting a message from the Malaysian Athletics Federation that said:  "Pray that athletes travel to Glasgow safe"

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg has sent a message of condolences to the Malaysian team competing in the Commonwealth Games following the death of 298 people in the Malaysian Airlines crash in Ukraine ©OCM

A message from David Grevemberg, chief executive of Glasgow 2014, has also been sent to the OCM, promising to "stand in solidarity with our friends".

"The Commonwealth Games are always called 'The Friendly Games' and they are just that," said Moneghetti.

"They are definitely not only about sport, they are about helping and supporting one another, especially in difficult times, whichever nation you happen to be representing.

"There's certainly a sombre feeling around after this news but the Games are a great opportunity to look forward, work together and be positive."

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