Putin: Terror strikes should not affect the Sochi Olympics

Russian President added that security would be ensured by some 40,000 law enforcement and special services officers

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with Russian and foreign media that he did not want terrorist acts like the two recent explosions in Volgograd in December 2013 to affect the Olympic Games in Sochi. “I would not want these acts of terrorism -crimes of the kind aimed at undermining international cooperation in the political as well as, so to say, humanitarian area, including sports, to affect the upcoming events. For if we allow ourselves to show weakness, to show our fear, it means we will help the terrorists achieve their goals. I think that international community, working in all areas - humanitarian, political and economic - must join forces in the fight against the inhumanity of terrorist attacks and killing entirely innocent people. Our task as organizers is to ensure the security of athletes and guests at this major sport event, and will do our best,” the Russian president said when he was asked how the two recent terrorist acts in Volgograd could affect the security at the Games. Putin added that security would be ensured by some 40,000 law enforcement and special services officers. “Of course, we will draw on the experience acquired during similar events held in other regions or the world and in other countries. It means that we will protect our air and sea space as well as the mountain cluster, “Putin explained. “I hope things will be organized in such a way that they do not catch the eye and, as I have already said, will not, so to say, depress the participants in the Olympic Games,” Putin explained, adding the law enforcers will do their best to make the aforesaid measures effective. One of the journalists shared her memories of the London Olympic Games where Patriot missile launchers had been deployed on the roofs of houses and military ships were anchored in the bay. “I hope you will not see anything but we will do our best,” the president went on to say. “As for London, we remember that one of the G8 summits there saw a number of terrorist attacks, including in the tube. I remember the painful reaction of the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair to the attacks and I remember how we all provided him moral, and if necessary special support,” Putin said. The president thanked the law enforcers of many foreign countries for active cooperation with Russian security forces and law enforcement in the run-up to the Sochi Olympic Games.