Currie owes an apology: athletics boss

Athletes' Federation boss Rob Nichol said he put no pressure on the three team sports to seek independent security advice and that chef de mission Dave Currie "owes the sports an apology" for dismissing their actions.

Nichol said hockey and netball engaged Sydney firm Control Risks before the Athletes' Federation (NZFA) had talked to them - he added that doing so was a sensible option. The information they received from the security advisers would either help them support the likely decision of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) to attend, or lead them to a contrary decision.

"These sports have boards who have a duty of care to their athletes and none of them are security experts," Nichol said. "They are doing everything they can to ensure they live up to that duty of care responsibility, so I'd say Dave Currie owes them all an apology."

Nichol said it was fantastic that the New Zealand Government was taking responsibility for the safety of the athletes.

However, he was not so charitable to those, including the NZOC, who played a part in the decision to take the games to Delhi.

"No athletes chose to go to India. The decision was made for them. Don't schedule a Commonwealth Games in a developing country where there is a high threat of terrorism and then turn around and say the safety of the athletes is your No 1 priority.

"The NZOC may be frustrated by us [the NZFA], but they should forgive us for being sceptical. The same people that played a part in scheduling these Games in Delhi are the ones saying 'trust us'."

Nichol also said it would be useful to embed more police with the team.

"Athletes and managers are not security experts. The more people they have with the team who know what to look for, who know what questions to ask to make sure everything being promised by the organising committee is being delivered, the better."