A record $1.2-billion is going toward making vulnerable Athens safe for Olympic participants.
By JOANNE KORTH
Published May 2, 2004
More than 30 years ago, a memorable Summer Olympics featured the magnificent strokes of Mark Spitz, mesmerizing flips of Olga Korbut and a hotly contested Cold War basketball game between the United States and Soviet Union.
Sadly, none define that Olympiad.
The words "Munich 1972" evoke images of a ski-masked gunman on a balcony and 11 murdered Israeli athletes and coaches. On a September day, the centuries-old Olympic ideal was for the first time scarred by political terrorism.
In three months, the eyes of the world will focus on Athens, Greece, and an Olympics intended to kindle the spirit and sportsmanship of the Ancient Games in their native land. But remembrances of a more recent September tragedy will impact these Summer Games, the first since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States and the war in Iraq.
The mission to safeguard the Olympics, which begin with opening ceremonies Aug. 13, is more challenging and costly than ever, with a record $1.2-billion being spent on the most complex security plan in the history of the Games.
"With security, we are not cutting any corners. Whatever is possible to do is being done," Fani Palli-Petralia, deputy culture minister coordinating Athens' preparations, told the Associated Press.
Athens organizers and public officials are charged with making the Games safe for more than 10,000 athletes, 20,000 coaches and officials, and millions of ticketed spectators. The initial budget of about $600-million has doubled to $1.2-billion, four times the amount spent four years ago in Sydney, Australia.
More than 50,000 police and soldiers will be deployed. NATO will assist. The plan includes the use of 1,400 security cameras and aerial surveillance by helicopters, a blimp and NATO's AWACS radar aircraft. NATO also will patrol the harbor. A no-fly zone will be imposed around Olympic venues, similar to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
"Does this mean there is zero risk? Of course not," IOC president Jacques Rogge told reporters. "No one can guarantee zero risk. What you can guarantee is that every measure that can be taken has been taken and provided for. And for the rest, you can ask me a question at the closing ceremony."
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The smallest nation to host the Olympics in 50 years, Greece has a population of 11-million, barely two-thirds the population of Florida. Hardly considered progressive in its attitude toward security in recent years, Greece has been assisted the past several months by a seven-member advisory group of nations, including the United States, Great Britain and Israel.
Greek officials previously determined to use exclusively Greek personnel for security reached out to the world in March, one day after terrorist bombs rocked the European continent. On March 11, bombs blew up four commuter trains during morning rush hour in Madrid, Spain, killing more than 190 people and injuring 1,800.
The next day, Athens 2004 officials asked for NATO assistance, though officials say the request was prepared before the Madrid attack. NATO has been asked to provide aerial and sea surveillance against a potential chemical, biological and nuclear incident.
"This is part of a general effort for international assistance and participation ... to deal with consequences that exceed the capabilities of our country," police spokesman Col. Lefteris Ikonomou told the Associated Press.
Scenarios for which security officials are preparing include the ramming of one of 11 cruise ships to be parked in Piraeus Harbor, one of which is expected to house the U.S. basketball team, by a boat filled with explosives, similar to the attack on the USS Cole; a chemical attack or bombing in the Athens subway, similar to Madrid; and suicide or car bombings similar to a deadly attack in November in nearby Istanbul, Turkey.
"What keeps me up at night ... is if we will have a safe and successful Games," Bill Martin, acting president of the U.S. Olympic Committee, told a panel of journalists in Orlando recently. "If we didn't have NATO, I would be a lot more concerned. Greece suffers from bad geography being so close to so many trouble spots."
Several tests have been run, including exercises dealing with potential nuclear, biological or chemical attacks. A two-week exercise in March, called Shield of Hercules, included simulated threats and ground maneuvers in which 400 U.S. troops were utilized.
Last week, police special forces conducted mock raids based on possible hostage takings by armed terrorists in grounded aircraft, buildings and buses. Public Order Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis told the Associated Press the exercises were a "confirmation of the security conditions in which the Olympic Games will be held."
NATO forces will be part of a test May 13-16, with final tests to be held in late May or early June.
Yet, for the first time, the International Olympic Committee took out an insurance policy to protect its investment from cancellation of the Athens Games because of war, terrorism or earthquakes.
The United States will send its own insurance policy: 100 federal agents to work exclusively with U.S. athletes. Though tennis star Serena Williams expressed concern for her safety - she considered staying home but has decided to compete - few U.S. athletes have said they are worried about security.
"We know if they're going to have us over there everything will be secured, so there is no concern at all," Orlando Magic guard Tracy McGrady told the New York Times.
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In addition to it size and limited resources, Greece is vulnerable geographically. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Greece is susceptible to attack by land, air and sea. Its borders with Balkan countries, including Albania, a Muslim nation, have proven porous. Though slightly smaller than the state of Alabama in land area, Greece has thousands of miles of secluded coastline.
While international terrorism and Islamic militant groups, such as al-Qaida, are the main concern, Greece also must be aware of dangers within its borders.
An urban guerrilla group called Revolutionary Struggle claimed responsibility for twin bombings Sept. 5 at Athens' main sports complex in which a police officer was injured. Also, several fire bombings have been carried out recently by groups protesting the Olympic surveillance methods and the inclusion of U.S. troops.
The mayor of Athens, Dora Bakoyianni, whose husband was killed in 1989 by domestic terrorists, began a European and American tour this weekend to promote the city leading up to the Aug. 13-29 Games. Part of her message is not to give in to terrorism.
"Don't worry; come to Greece," Bakoyianni told the AP. "We are doing everything which is humanly possible to have the maximum amount of security, but it would be a fatal message to anybody if - before even going to the Games - we would give up ... because of terrorism."
- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.
