Report: Iraqi athlete stabbed at Asian Games

According to unconfirmed reports, an Iraqi athlete has been stabbed by a fellow competitor in the athletes' village.

His condition is unknown but the wounds are not believed to be life threatening.

Further details are yet to emerge but it is understood that the incident occurred on Wednesday and involved a team mate.

Chinese officials issued a non-denial denial, saying simply that the athlete had been feeling "unwell".

Questions about the alleged attack overshadowed a press conference today that had been called to detail the intensive security measures that have seen the 16th Asian Games so far go off without a hitch

Security chief He Guangping claimed the athlete in question had simply been feeling sick.

"We heard that he fell ill and was not feeling so comfortable," said Guangping. "We gave him some medicine and after that we sent him back to the village."

The fact that they were aware of an incident - and did not issue a flat-out denial - seems to suggest that there is some credence behind the reports.

Michael Burgess travelled to China with the support of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, which is an organisation dedicated to building New Zealanders' knowledge and understanding of Asia.