US Olympic Team may pull out of Olympics

There is a lot of discussion among "security officials" concerning the Greeks ability to provide adequate security for the games. The US has even offered to and I believe is providing security assistance to the Greeks. Should the US pull its team from the Games (Not because we will take it all :), but for security issues) and if not should they be allowed private security and/or US troop protection. Thoughts?

I''m not crazy about the idea of US troop protection, but additional security of some sort would not be unwarranted.

Not that it matters much but I think if the US Olympic team pulls out of the games, we''ll look like big sissies.

This isn''t like when we boycotted out of the Moscow games for political reasons. The athletes should decide for themselves whether their desire to participate in the Olympics is worth the risk. If they go, I don''t think Greece would object too much to some inconspicuous extra protection. I''d be surprised if the Israelis haven''t been sending extra protection ever since 1972.

I was reading an article last week, in Newsweek I think, and they were discussing that the biggest flaws in security haven''t been dealt with. It was a long-ish article but summing it up:

1. There is no security of which to speak on site now. It has been speculated that pipe bombs, regular bombs, etc could easily be planted in the construction of the various venues and detonated relatively easy at a later date.

2. The works crews that are being hired or have been hired are hastily assembled from ""local"" workers without strenous background checks. A terrorist cell could easily infiltrate these workgroups.

3. Serious questions do, in fact, remain about the ability of the security forces to adequately protect the sight. While training has been on-going, the fact remains they probably don''t have the experience necessary to repel a determined foe.

4. We totally need to assemble a Rainbow styled organization. Totally.

"slambie" wrote:

I think if the US Olympic team pulls out of the games, we''ll look like big sissies.

I totally agree with you, but then again, I guess that''s easy for me to say sitting here safe and happy.

Well, when I was in Greece, the people there seemed very much like Mexicans. Everyone I met there had this ""Ahh, it will be all right"" attitude, of not worrying too much about things. I liked it, they were totally relaxed, and friendly. And disorganized, very disorganized.
I don''t think the security will be good enough, but then again, it never is. I always wondered (I was there in 2001) how the olympics would fare there.

It''s a serious concern. The olympics is the highest profile, and the Greeks seem to be practically inviting disaster. I don''t think the US as a whole should necessarily pull out of the games, but they might issue some kind of travel advisory or such to legitimize any decision the individual athletes might make.

Maybe if enough countries have a beef with security concerns, the IOC should consider ditching Athens all together and moving it to alternative site.

"Rat Boy" wrote:

Maybe if enough countries have a beef with security concerns, the IOC should consider ditching Athens all together and moving it to alternative site.

You just had to use the word beef.

It''s whats for dinner.

"Rat Boy" wrote:

Maybe if enough countries have a beef with security concerns, the IOC should consider ditching Athens all together and moving it to alternative site.

I would imagine that it''s too late for that.

The other white meat?

Dam sorry for contributing to the hijaak.

It would be a total shame for us to have to pull out. I hope there is a compromise because this could be a total disaster.

Of course if we do pull out, I wouldnt put it past the terrorist to refrain to smear egg all over our face.

"buzzvang" wrote:

I would imagine that it''s too late for that.

Not if the site had preestablished facilities like Sydney. That''s the other problem with Athens; their buildings and venues aren''t all complete yet.

Yep, every greek dude I spoke to back when said the buildings wouldn''t be ready. It''s like everyone knew...

But they couldn''t possibly change the site now, it would be a major disaster.

Not if the site had preestablished facilities like Sydney. That''s the other problem with Athens; their buildings and venues aren''t all complete yet.

Hey now, hey''ve only had a few thousand years...

I don''t see why they just don''t use the facilities from the first Olympics.

They''d never get them up to code...

I don''t see why they just don''t use the facilities from the first Olympics.

And while they''re at it, all the athletes should have to participate in the nude.

"Elysium" wrote:
I don''t see why they just don''t use the facilities from the first Olympics.

And while they''re at it, all the athletes should have to participate in the nude.

Just the female ones....except the Russian female ones.

Hey Belt, you quoted me! I think I said that along time ago. I love being quoted. Sorry for the ad hominem statement.

I don''t think we have to worry about boycotting the olympic games. By the time they finish drug testing the players we''ll have no one left to participate.

Hi-oh!

[/Ed McMahon]

Some excellent points - even the beef ones :). That being said I have significant concerns not just for the US team, but for the Olympics in Greece as a whole. Inviting disaster is an understatement given my understanding of the ""recent"" security tests. I guess we shall see, I am still not convinced that the actual facilities will be ready as was mentioned in a previous post. Does anyone know the official kick-off date -I know the torch has started its run...

I wonder if that''s one way to revive ''struggling'' airlines in a post s11 world. Cancel the olympics at the last minute and force everyone to purchase tickets to sydney at the last minute and at great expense.

Of course.. Tickets from here to sydney cost about $60. So I''m definately for that plan.

oh - and the dates are 13 - 29 August 2004