Oy.
Thousands of police officers and security personnel have begun a full-scale tightening of surveillance and patrols in preparation for next month's Olympics. But work delays will block the so-called "lock down" of the main stadium until just days before the Games, Greece's top law enforcement official said. "For us, the Olympic Games start today," said Public Order Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis. "They start today for the Greek police, the armed forces and the coast guard."
About 11,000 police officers and others began moving into Olympic venues and facilities in the first stage of the "lock down" process, which includes security sweeps with bomb-sniffing dogs and tests of all surveillance operations. By mid-July, nearly all Olympic facilities will be sealed off except for access by security personnel. However, ongoing round-the-clock construction on the main stadium grounds could raise concerns that the last-minute work may compromise the safety of the Games.
Voulgarakis said officials will try to get the stadium fully secured before August 10 -- just three days before the opening ceremony.
At which point anyone who plans to do anything will have had ample opportunity to set things up, because there is no way in hell that Athens security is going to have everything locked down by then. The last days before a major event are always the most frantic and disorganized, and would be even if Athens were ready ... which they clearly are not.
And, of course, the one venue that's assured not to be done, the one that will therefore be at most risk is the one that everyone will be watching in the opening and closing ceremonies. Of course it will.
I have to admit, independent of any profit motives or desire to safeguard their career against injuries, I have a certain sympathy with the athletes who are declining to go due to security concerns. This is just horrendous.
Posted by iain at July 01, 2004 02:15 PM
