Though security concerns for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games still
exist with less than two months to go until the games begin,
prospective Olympians from UCLA say worries about security will not
deter them from participating.
Safety is a greater issue than ever since these games will be
the first Summer Olympics since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11,
2001.
Though not all the rosters for the United States’ Olympic
teams have been named officially, UCLA students are among those
expected to participate in the games.
Kelly Rulon, a second-year undeclared student and member of the
U.S. women’s water polo team, said attending the Olympics is
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity she is not willing to give up.
Though she heard about security concerns, Rulon said she never
considered missing the Olympics for fear of her safety.
Greece plans to spend $1.2 billion for Olympic security and to
employ 70,000 workers to patrol popular sporting and tourism
sites.
In comparison, there will be about 10,500 athletes in Athens,
Greece, which translates to almost seven security workers for each
athlete, said Darryl Seibel, a spokesman for the United States
Olympic Committee.
This expenditure for security is by far the greatest for any
Olympic Games.
“We feel that (the Athens Organizing Committee) is going
to unprecedented lengths to make sure that the environment in
Athens is safe and secure for “¦ athletes from every
nation,” Seibel said.
Athletes say this preparation makes them feel safe in
participating in the games.
“I feel pretty confident that they have taken all the
“¦ appropriate steps. “¦ We aren’t really worried
about it,” said Natalie Golda, a fourth-year history student
on the U.S. women’s water polo team.
A triple bomb attack at an Athens police station in early May
furthered security worries for others.
The attack took place as the 100- day countdown to the opening
of the games started.
The Greek socialist group Revolutionary Struggle claimed
responsibility for the attacks. The group said in a statement that
certain Olympic visitors, including Western tourists and some heads
of state, are “undesirable.”
Greek officials say they won’t ignore the attack and will
work to make sure something similar doesn’t happen again.
Security planners agree the geographic location of Greece makes
security planning difficult. The secluded coastlines, the porous
borders and the country’s close proximity to the Middle East
poses a challenge.
The Greek government relied on advice from many nations ““
including Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Israel, Spain and
the United States ““ to make security preparations.
In addition, the Greek government has asked the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization for help. NATO is expected to help patrol the
Greek airspace and coastline by providing surveillance planes and
ships.
Security workers in Greece are training to handle potentially
catastrophic situations, including plane hijackings, suicide
bombings and biological and chemical attacks.
American Special Forces troops also have participated in these
training sessions.
“The security plan that has been developed is the most
comprehensive we have ever seen for the Olympic games,”
Seibel said.
Still the U.S. Olympic Committee wants athletes to focus on
training and competing as well as they can and not divert their
attention to security concerns, Siebel said.
Yoo Kim, a fourth-year sociology student from Korea attending
UCLA, will be a pole-vaulter on the Korean Olympic team.
Kim said though he has been somewhat concerned about the
security in Greece he has tried to remain focused on training.
“I don’t want any distractions,” he said.
Also, some Olympians say safety concerns are not unique to the
trip to Athens.
“Going on regular trips, you’re concerned with
security. “¦ It’s not going to be any different,”
Golda said.
For now, the approximately 600 American athletes headed to
Greece are encouraged to sport their red, white and blue uniforms
without concern while living in the Olympic Village.
At the Olympics, American athletes should wear their American
gear with pride but should be sure to appear humble, as well, Golda
said.
“Be happy and be proud, but don’t show it off and
make people feel awkward,” she said.
Athletes representing the United States can serve a greater
purpose by making good impressions on others, Golda added.
“We can all be ambassadors of our country and show that we
are nice people and maybe win a few people over,” she
said.
Kim said he hopes the United States will not change its plans to
attend the Olympics.
“I hope America will not choose to back out from the
Olympics because it is definitely not the same without America
there. “¦ It’s the United States; it’s such a big
presence no matter what sport it is,” Kim said.
With reports from Bruin wire services.