Australian Olympic officials said on Friday they have full confidence in China being able to protect local athletes at the Beijing Games.

Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) president John Coates said in a statement that there is no known security threat to the Australian team.

"We have always had full confidence in China being able to provide a safe Games for our athletes and this confirms just how seriously they are taking their responsibilities," Coates said.

The assurance came after Chinese authorities said they had detained 45 East Turkestan terrorist suspects overnight and foiled their plots to carry out suicide bomb attacks and kidnap athletes during the Olympics.

The safety of Australian athletes was a priority, but there was currently "no known security threat" facing them, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2008)