February 28 - Australia's Olympic triple gold medallist Stephanie Rice (pictured) may miss the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi later this year because she claims she fears for her safety.



The swimmer has deferred her decision on whether to defend her two Commonwealth titles until she has a better idea of the security arrangements for the athletes in New Delhi later this year.

"It's something that I have to give serious consideration to," Rice told the Herald Sun newspaper today.

"And if there is any serious or credible risk, then that will prompt a rethink.

"I just want to see what transpires in coming months."

Rice's comments come as Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith leaves for Delhi tomorrow for a three-day visit related to the Commonwealth Games, which open on October 3.

Rice would be one of the biggest stars to compete in the Indian capital having won golds in the 200 and 400 metres medley and 4x200m freestyle in the Beijing Olympics two years ago.

If she withdrew because she is frightened it would be another serious blow to Commonwealth Games officials, already resigned to being without Britain's world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis and world gymnastics champion Beth Tweddle because the events does not fit into their schedules.

Last week Australia's world discus champion Dani Samuels said she was considering skipping the event following the recent bombing at a restaurant in the western Indian city of Pune, which killed 16 people.

"It is of course always a matter for the individual athletes concerned and the individual sporting associations as to whether they compete," Smith said.

"The hockey World Cup is on at the moment and that is being seen very much as a dry run if you like for the Commonwealth Games.

"To date we've been pleased with the way in which the Indian officials have been co-operating, not just with Australia, but with other countries involved in the hockey World Cup and also in the Commonwealth Games."

Smith will attend a hockey match between Australia and India during his visit.


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February 2010: Australian world champion ready to skip Commonwealth Games over security
January 2010: Cavendish to miss Commonwealth Games but Ohuruogu will be there
December 2009: British head coach claims Delhi is for developing athletes
December 2009: Sotherton to join list of absentees in Delhi
December 2009: Tweddle and Britain's top gymnasts to miss 2010 Commonwealth Games