(ATR) Going on the attack against seemingly sacrosanct Olympic security measures, the CEO of the Turin Olympics says airport-style security checkpoints at Olympic venues waste of time and money.
"Mag and bag are completely useless!" said Cesare Vaciago at Monday's opening of the official debriefing of the Turin Olympics for staff of Vancouver 2010.
Vaciago said mag and bag operations cost Turin 20 million euros and required stationing of 2,000 policemen stationed at the checkpoints. Security lines at some venues were three hours long.
Vaciago said police at the FIFA World Cup in Germany used hand-held wands to check for weapons. No major problems were reported.
"Throw away the mag and bag!" exclaimed Vaciago, who is known for his straightforward management style.
VANOC CEO John Furlong dismissed Vaciago's statement as "a light comment".
"I think he was having a bit of fun," Furlong said.
"This is a matter for the RCMP, security is in their hands. I'm sure you'll hear from them whenever they're ready to talk about it, they'll be here."
Vaciago, who became CEO less than a year before the Games, insisted his comments were sincere.
TOROC president Valentino Castellani said the mag and bag procedures were beyond TOROC and IOC control. It was the responsibility of the Italian government, he said.
"It's not an easy discussion this one. I believe Cesare looks at things on the side of the budget," Castellani said.
"Of course, if you put a lot of mag and bags, your budget, your costs rise significantly. From that standpoint of view it's rather obvious what you would like to do. On the other hand you have to deal with the security constraints."
TOROC leaders will present the successes and failures of the 2006 Games through Friday at the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver. More than 300 participants are involved, the largest debrief ever organized following an Olympic Games.
All the major stakeholders are invited to attend, including sponsors and upcoming summer Games cities of Beijing and London, as well as delegations from the three cities bidding for the 2014 Winter Games, PyeongChang, Salzburg and Sochi.
Reported by Bob Mackin in Vancouver.
On the scene coverage from the Vancouver debrief throughout the week, at www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only.
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