Winter Olympic Games Facing Specific Threats

Winter Olympic Games Facing Specific Threats

Three days prior to the opening of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, US officials revealed that there were some reasons to be concerned about the security in the Russian city.

National Counterterrorism Center director Matthew Olsen emphasized some concerns on the Games and attacks may be launched against selected targets during the Games. Security forces in Russia have targeted suspected militants in Dagestan and other areas following the two bombings in Volgograd last December.

Olsen said Imarat Kavkaz was the primary threat to the Games as it made it clear that it will carry out attacks during the event.

House Intelligence Committee chairman Rep. Mike Rogers indicated the venues may be secure due to the security provided by Russian security forces. However, it may still be possible for violent acts to occur during the Winter Olympic Games. He also said it was necessary for the cooperation level to be at one hundred percent since it deals with the lives of people at the Games.

Australian Olympic Committee spokesman Wolfgang Eischer revealed that they received a letter that threatened two female team members. However, no details were released on the contents of the letter.

The spokesman from the Interior Ministry, Karl-Heinz Grundboeck, said the anonymous letter demonstrates the threats facing the two members of the team in Sochi.

President Vladimir Putin visited Sochi last Tuesday and attended a number of International Olympic Committee events. The Winter Olympic Games were described by Putin as a grand project that will promote the beauty and comfort provided by the city. The Games also have some cultural, ecological, social and economic aspects.

President Thomas Bach of the IOC indicated the cost of the games in Sochi did not surpassed earlier Olympic Games as he addressed criticism on the cost for the Games. He added the region experienced development due to the Games. The initial cost of the games was projected to reach $51 billion. But it was reduced to $6.4 billion since improvements on the power supplies, sewerage, and transport links should not be included in the total cost.

The IOC head also indicated that only three percent of hotel rooms remained unfinished for the Winter Olympic Games, and alternative accommodations may be offered by people affected by the lack of hotel rooms.

Posted by James Fried on Thursday February 06 2014, 3:11 AM EST. Ref: CNN. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0