SALT LAKE CITY (voa) – The 19th Winter Olympic Games are taking place under the watchful eyes of thousands of security personnel involved in what officials say is the biggest operation of its kind ever seen in the United States.
The plan to protect the Games has been three years in the making and cost an estimated $300 million. The undertaking involves 59 agencies of government, including the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, the U.S. military, as well as local Salt Lake City police and security volunteers, 16,000 people in all.
The security force has snipers on the roof of the Olympic stadium, as well as (U.S. Customs) Black Hawk helicopters patrolling the shies above and F-16 fighter jets standing by at a nearby (Hill) Air Force base, in case of an attack from the air.
Police in snowshoes and all-terrain vehicles have been patrolling fences surrounding Olympic venues. Armed guards have been deployed at the many security checkpoints dotting the Salt Lake City landscape.
U.S. officials have not announced any specific threat against the Olympics or its participants, but have warned the Games could be a prime target for terrorists, especially in the wake of the September 11th attacks.
Olympics officials warned athletes and spectators alike to allow more time for security. But the expected long lines did not materialize Friday outside the Olympics Stadium, which was filled to capacity long before opening ceremonies began.
However, the Salt Lake City airport was shut down for several hours as a precaution, and officials said that more than 300 flights had to be re-routed. The city’s light rail system that runs to the Stadium also was suspended during the three-hour opening ceremonies.
Flight restrictions are in effect for a 145-kilometer area around the Olympic Games, which have been designated as a National Special Security Event.
