Global Security Challenge

Interpol Afraid of Olympics Attack - Surprise?

"The head of Interpol said Friday that there is a "real possibility" that the Beijing Olympics will be targeted by terrorists or that anti-China groups could attack athletes."

olympics.jpg

An article by MSNBC today states that Interpol is sending out a warning of potential attacks at the Beijing Olympics.   I don't think anyone assumed otherwise.  [You'll note that this year we have a Crowded Places award - to find interesting solutions to face the threat that exists once you bring people together.]  We all know that terrorists will pick high profile events to attack civilians.  So any crowded place with a profile becomes a potential target.  It can't be a surprise to anyone that the Beijing Olympics could be a target.

The additional problem of the Beijing Olympics is that the Chinese government is faced with pro-Tibet and what MSNBC is calling anti-China protestors.  Supposedly that they are talking about the oppressed Muslim Uighur population in Western China.  This subtle layer of disruption must be planned for in addition to the al-Qaida style attacks that could also hit the Olympics games.

Your correspondent wonders which group worries the PRC more...the more likely disruption by groups seeking human rights or al-Qaida who reportedly have no bones to pick in Beijing?  And in a topic a little closer to home, what is the London Olympic Committee doing to sort out its security nightmare?

Comments

Good Point...

The Olympics is a great place for bring everyone together under one roof, but it is also a prime target, like you've said. I do think its important to think of everyone's safety and due to the immense amount of Health and Safety guidelines in the UK, I'm sure they are already looking at security measures... and probably have already taken out 'Terrorist Attack' insurance... I dread to think how much that is going to cost!

However, are we living in fear over potential attacks or are we just being ready for every eventuality?

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