John Key. Photo / Paul Estcourt
The shooting of two Taiwanese tourists in New Delhi at the weekend is unlikely to deter New Zealand from attending the Commonwealth Games.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee is remaining tight-lipped on the shooting, waiting instead for more detailed information before commenting.
However, Prime Minister John Key said yesterday that
he expected the Games to proceed and New Zealand to be a part of them.
"One always takes these things seriously but we are also very hopeful that the Commonwealth Games will proceed, that New Zealand will go and do very well," he said in a radio interview.
The shooting outside a Delhi mosque, which injured the tourists, has heightened fears of terrorist attacks during the October 3-14 Games.
A report in Australia's Sunday Herald Sun quoting security consultant Roger Henning said there was an 80 per cent chance the Games would come under some form of attack.
Henning, who authored a report that stated that the Government and sports administrators had underplayed the threats, believed the biggest threat was to "soft" targets near Games venues.
Valerie Adams yesterday said she had no qualms about attending the Games.
"I have no idea it even happened, to be honest. I'm going to go regardless, until I'm told otherwise. I have no concerns for security at my end, unless Nick [Cowan, manager] tells me not to go, or I get advice not to go.
"But I have no worries at all."
The shot put gold medal favourite has never competed in India and said she would be staying on in Delhi after her event. She is scheduled to finish in the early hours of Sunday, October 10, but is committed to staying until the curtain falls on October 14.
"I think it's important that those who are competing towards the end have people there to support them.
"I'm going to be there at the stadium at the end."
