Holy Cow. I'm beginning to think that the Olympics may
finally be creating more problems than they are worth. I
remember those happy bygone days -- when the worst of our
worries was who was taking what drug.
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:Quoted message said:
Missile umbrella to shield Athens Olympiad (Xinhua) Updated:
2004-03-16 09:16
A "missile umbrella" made up of Patriot, Stinger and Hawk
missile batteries will protect Athens in an effort to boost
defense against terrorism during the upcoming Olympic Games
scheduled for Aug. 13-29, local media reported Monday.
The air defense map for the safety of the Olympic Games is
ready, according to the Athens Greek-language newspaper "
Apogevmatini".
The air defense umbrella will be completed with the presence
of Mirage 2000 and F-16 interception fighter jets as well as
the state-of-art single engine turboprop aircraft T-6A Texan
II and flying radar stations.
Similar protection will have other four Greek cities with
Olympic venues. The country will also be protected from
nuclear threat, as the responsible authorities consider any
likelihood.
Security issue has been the top worry for the international
community, although Greek government has earmarked a record
650 million euros (US$820 million) for the Olympic security
budget, three times as much as that for Sydney Olympic
Games, and 50,000 armed personnel, police, coast guards and
emergency servicemen for the Olympics.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge
has said that "everything humanly possible is being done"
for the Olympics, but the security concern has been
highlighted following the series of terrorist attacks in
Madrid last Thursday, which killed about 200 people and
injured another 1,400.