| Terrorism worry dampens a mum's Games euphoria |
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DANIEL LANE The Sun-Herald May 16, 2010 SYDNEY mother Hayley Butler must decide if the terrorist threat at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October will stop her from fulfilling a childhood dream, or whether to compete and do her bit to prevent terrorists from shaping the world in which her baby boy grows up. Butler, who was selected to compete in the 100m hurdles with Olympian Sally Pearson (nee McLellan), expressed her "concerns" about a terrorist attack now the euphoria of being named in her first Australian team had subsided. What makes the 26-year-old's decision harder is being mum to Cooper, her 15-month-old son. "I was so stoked to be named in the Australian team, I didn't think too much about the terrorism at first," Butler told The Sun-Herald. "At this stage I don't picture myself not going, but [fears of] terrorism crept into my thoughts for the first time this week when my husband Stephen and my dad told me they wanted to go to India to support me. "I don't want them there because I'd worry too much about them when I'd need to be fully focused on the race. While I try to think, 'It's fine and everything will be okay,' I'm also not one of those people who think 'it' won't happen to them. It's really tough." While Butler intended to take her time before making a decision, she said Cooper weighed heavily on her mind. She knows if athletes choose not to compete, they will provide terrorists a "win" that could ultimately shape Cooper's world. "My husband's thoughts are terrorism could happen anywhere and he asks, 'Do we all stop doing stuff because of those threats?' I think that way, too," she said. "It can happen anywhere, but the threat is definitely in Delhi because the Commonwealth Games are being held there. "I have Cooper to think of, and it's as worrying as it is confusing, because while one part of me thinks about how it's been my dream to represent Australia since I took up athletics as a five-year-old, I also think, 'it's only sport' when I consider what is being placed at risk by going. Butler said no one had advised her to not compete in India. "I'll keep training and I'll take the advice of those who are experts on such things and we'll see what happens. I honestly don't think Australia would send a team if there was a serious risk." |