Security Measures at the Olympics - Research Paper Example

Running Head: Olympics Security SECURITY MEASURES AT THE OLYMPICS This paper is written to present the steps and tasks needed to prepare forthe Olympics. The discourse would include personal protection of VIPs, athletes, and the general public, as well as other security concerns, traffic control, and terrorist threats. Introduction The Olympics is a prestigious event acknowledging exemplary talents in sports from all over the world. Sports enthusiasts have been attending and supporting this event ever since it started nearly 1200 years ago. The efforts of member countries who sponsor this even has been increasing in terms of budgets and scale of plans for the site and program to ensure that the Olympics site would accommodate the size of expected attendees, as well as their security, personal and professional needs. It is in this regard that this paper is written to present the steps and tasks needed to prepare for the Olympics. The discourse would include personal protection of VIPs, athletes, and the general public, as well as other security concerns, traffic control, and terrorist threats. Recent Olympic Security Measures The Olympic games originated in Olympia, Greece from as early as 10th or 9th century B.C. Due to its scope and enormity of international participants in the event, the level and depth of security measures are always of paramount priority especially of the host country. In previous Olympic events, there were security companies which were named as the official electronic security sponsor for specific Olympic events. This ensures that the security plans, measures and implementing actions could be directly accounted to a specific organization. In the forthcoming games in London on 2012, “the Government and its partners in security are committed to the safety and security of the London 2012 Olympics, and a funding envelope of £600 million has been agreed. This will cover strategic options for a range of security measures, including fraud and financial crime prevention and protection, counter-terrorism, identity assurance and personal protection.” (Beard, 2008) Steps and Tasks Needed to Prepare for the Olympics Generally, the following steps and tasks are required to prepare for securing the Olympic games: (1) definition of a specific objective - the aim is to ensure safe and secure Olympic Games which everyone can enjoy; (2) identification of the agency in charge of security; (3) planning stage incorporating security programs, layout, officers and budget in the design for the Olympic site to further secure the Olympic Park; the number of officers needed on duty each day should be detailed including the number of specialists such as firearms, surveillance and intelligence officers; the overall security budget should also be allotted; (4) recruitment and training of necessary security personnel must be undertaken; (5) purchase and installation of security equipment should be scheduled and appropriately accounted for; and finally, (6) test run, monitoring, implementation stage should be incorporated in the time frame. The underlying principles guiding security planning should be established to do the following, to wit: (1) protect the integrity of international entry and accreditation processes; (2) ensure all accredited persons were subjected to appropriate background checking; (3) restrict sensitive areas to accredited persons; (4) sanitize all Olympic venues and sites for the presence of explosive devices; (5) impose random, but carefully targeted screening procedures using metal detectors and searches of hand carried items, under the supervision of police officers, for all spectators entering the Olympic venues and sites; (6) apply more thorough checking procedures for people and items entering higher risk areas in the Olympic site; (7) apply strict and consistent zone controls within each venue and site, aimed primarily at the protection of the Olympic family and VIPs; and (8) impose strict and consistent controls of all entry of vehicles and commercial materials into all Olympic venues and sites. Personal Protection of VIPs, Athletes and the General Public The security measures being drawn by the security organization which is named the official security sponsor of an Olympic event should ensure that the VIPs, athletes and the general public are all protected from danger or impending harm. As such, the following measures are worth noting: extra measures to protect athletes and spectators from an attack include drafting in the Army. Military helicopters are sometimes utilized to patrol overhead and jets to be on stand-by assistance to protect a no-fly zone over the designated Olympic stadium. Surveillance and access control systems will help provide a safe and secure environment for all participants to enjoy the Olympic Games. Each team will be assigned with a security liaison officer and security personnel will work around the clock at the hotels where athletes will stay. Traffic Control The official site of the London Olympics outlined specific plans for transport and traffic control. The government is working with partners such as the Highways Agency Department for Transport, Network Rail Train operating companies, LCR (London & Continental Railways) including Union Railways (North), BAA (British Airports Authority) and delivery authorities, including London boroughs and local authorities across the UK to ensure an efficient route to the Olympic site and decongest frequently passed roads. (London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games 2007). A travel route during the event is of utmost importance to ensure a safe and efficient traffic control for the spectators, VIPs, and participants. A comprehensive action plan will be required to manage Games time and background demand during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It will include a consideration of contingency planning and the role of customer information that should assist participants and the general public in answering inquiries regarding locations and travel routes. With close monitoring and re-routing plans, as required, a smooth travel and traffic control would be assured. Terrorist Threats Due to the nature and threat posed by terrorists, the Olympic host countries have intensified efforts to undertake anti-terrorist measures. According to Beard (2008), “escalating security costs for the London Olympics will drive the budget for the 2012 Games over the £10 billion mark. Anti-terrorism measures will push the cost of Games security to an estimated £1.5 billion - nearly three times the original estimate”. However, despite the projected increase in security budget, the measures to be employed to counter terrorist threats need to be well accounted for. During the Beijing Olympics, the Beijing Airport entered Olympic Games security mode on July 1, which involved the 24-hour monitoring of the air traffic control center and the creation of a security perimeter around the airport. In addition, the seven main airports and ten auxiliary airports of the Olympic Games put additional security checkpoints into operation. X-ray machines have been installed in Beijing’s subway stations; security checkpoints have been set up along the highways entering Beijing; and antiaircraft missiles have been deployed near the National Stadium where the opening ceremony was held. Further, a 100,000-strong contingent of police and special forces are safeguarding venues, while hundreds of thousands of Beijing residents have been formed into voluntary security patrols. (Li, 2008) Experienced host countries of Olympic events dealt with terrorist activities by removing the grievances that often motivate them, and to penetrate the terrorist organizations with informers. For security organizations to do these, extensive efforts should be implemented in monitoring and installing counter terrorist measures, as indicated by previous host countries such as Greece, Sydney and Beijing, in addition to the USA, to name a few. Analysis The bid for the Olympic site in 2012 was decided on as early as July 2005 with five countries bidding for holding the Olympic Games. There are several benefits associated with sponsorship of the Olympic Games which lures member countries into investing large amounts of money, time and effort in implementing its development. There are increased funding for sports and investments in developing elite athletes from host countries. In addition, the promotional activities accorded to host countries stir economic interests to local businesses. Employment opportunities increases as a consequence of the development projects and business plans associated with the Olympic Games. Despite the significant number of benefits associated in hosting the Olympic Games, there are still eminent costs related to events on a grand scale such as this – one major issue is securing the safety and protection of all participants and spectators in the event. Due to the required increased security associated with the number of expected visitors before, during and after the event, most local business, not directly participating in the development and implementation of sports events, would experience disruption in conducting normal business activities. The time, money and effort spent in ensuring that the protection and safety of all participants and spectators have been appropriately secured are so enormous that host countries sometimes question if investing on this event is worthwhile. In fact, Blake (p.3) cited the instances when costs outweigh benefits of the Olympic Games, to wit: “As Brown and Massey (26) note, hosting the Olympics has not always brought financial reward. The 1972 Munich Olympics and 1976 Montreal Olympics made losses of £178 million and £692 million. The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics made surpluses of £215 million and £2 million.” Conclusion The Olympic event enumerates benefits that are perceived to be beneficial for residents in the long run. However, a careful examination and study should still be conducted to verify and arrive at conclusive evidence on any positive effects it would generate in terms of promoting tourism and at the same time, ensuring the security of participants and spectators in this prestigious event. In the light of the present financial crisis that besieges countries world wide, the host country could not undermine budget restrictions on security program for the Olympics due to the nature of impending threats. All areas to provide a safe and secure environment should be appropriately covered to ensure that participants enjoy the legacy of the Olympics and uphold the standards it stood for since it started nearly 1200 years ago. References Beard, M. (2008). Security costs will send 2012 bill over £10bn. Retrieved July 14, 2009 from Blake, A. (2005). The Economic Impact of the London 2012 Olympics. Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute. Nottingham University Business School. Retrieved July 14, 2009 from Li, J. (2008). Historic Security Measures for Olympics. Retrieved July 14, 2009 from London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (2007). Our Plans – Security. Retrieved July 14, 2009 from Read More