'Delhi's security issues won't affect Gold Coast's 2018 bid'

Melbourne, Sep 24 (PTI)
Gold Coast Commonwealth Games bid boss Mark Stockwell believes concerns over security in the October 3-14 Delhi Games will not enhance their chances of hosting the 2018 multi-disciplinary event.
The Gold Coast will be competing with Sri Lankan city of Hambantota to win the 2018 Games and there is a popular view that the security issues and building concerns engulfing Delhi Games may spoil the bid of another neighbouring Asian region.
But Olympic medallist Stockwell differs and said the perception of security is different in different countries around the world.
"We are a 50-50 chance and the only way we will be beaten is by ourselves,"Stockwell was quoted as saying in the&aposCourier Mail&apos.
"A lot of these countries live with these problems every day so it does not rate as highly in their thinking. The rest of the world does not necessarily think like New Zealand and Australia.
"There are 71 voting delegates from the Commonwealth and they are from all sorts of nationalities. It is an obvious thing for Australia to say but not everyone thinks like we do.
"The world knows Australia is good at delivering major events like the Sydney Olympics or the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. We are very strong on that front. We are just going to focus on winning it fair and square,"he added.
Premier Anna Bligh will be part of a presentation group attending the Delhi Games next week. The Gold Coast will have to submit all technical information for their bid by May and the final decision will be made in November 2011.
The Delhi Commonwealth Games have been marred by construction delays and corruption charges. To make things worse, there was also a tourist attack and a footbridge collapse a few days back.