Security on the minds of local organizers as clock ticks down to the 2022 World Games

The World Games are just 86 days out from their return to American soil. On Wednesday, local organizers held a security briefing to provide an outline of what athletes, officials, media and other visitors to Birmingham should expect to see this summer

Compartir
Compartir articulo
The World Games 2022 Legion Field (TWG2022)
The World Games 2022 Legion Field (TWG2022)

With the clock continuing to countdown towards the 2022 World Games, Birmingham, Alabama city officials and local organizers held a press conference on Wednesday to provide an outline of security measures that will be in place for the global multi-sports event this summer.

“The eyes of the world will be on the city of Birmingham, the state of Alabama, and the good citizens here,” noted Patrick Davis, Secret Service Birmingham Special Agent in Charge. “We want to put our best foot forward.”

“Our responsibility from a security standpoint is to ensure the safety and security of the Games, the patrons, and the athletes that are coming from over 120 countries from around the world,” said Davis, who will be head of a unified security effort aided by local and federal law enforcement authorities during the Games.

Nick Sellers, CEO of The World Games 2022, noted the staging of the World Games as a “historic moment” for Birmingham, while acknowledging, “with great benefits, comes some responsibility.”

He confirmed the 2022 World Games would be classified as a SEAR Level 1 event, meaning law enforcement from both the local and federal level would be involved in securing the event. Sellers promised, “a Super Bowl level” of security.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents watch as LA Rams fans cross the street towards the Metro Los Angeles bus shuttle to head to SoFi Stadium, prior to Super Bowl LVI in Lennox, California U.S., February 13, 2022. REUTERS/Bing Guan REFILE - CORRECTING LOCATION
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents watch as LA Rams fans cross the street towards the Metro Los Angeles bus shuttle to head to SoFi Stadium, prior to Super Bowl LVI in Lennox, California U.S., February 13, 2022. REUTERS/Bing Guan REFILE - CORRECTING LOCATION

He also stated athletes, media, officials, and other attendees should expect security measures on par with those of other major sporting events, such as the use of magnetometers and certain bag policies.

On the topic of transportation, Sellers mentioned the use of road closures and detours, while promising to release a comprehensive transportation plan for the Games in the near future.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin commented, “we are committed to having a very safe event for the people of our city, athletes, and visitors.” He admitted, “there will be some things we have to do to make sure everyone is safe.”

Woodfin also confirmed the involvement of the Birmingham Police Department in the security of the Games.

Thousands of protesters march through the Port of Oakland with the International Longshore Warehouse Union (ILWU), who shut down all 29 U.S. Ports on the Pacific Coast for eight hours, on a day known as Juneteenth, to show support against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Oakland, California, U.S. June 19, 2020.  REUTERS/Kate Munsch     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Thousands of protesters march through the Port of Oakland with the International Longshore Warehouse Union (ILWU), who shut down all 29 U.S. Ports on the Pacific Coast for eight hours, on a day known as Juneteenth, to show support against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Oakland, California, U.S. June 19, 2020. REUTERS/Kate Munsch TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Policing has become a deeply polarizing political issue in the United States in recent years. Thousands of people protested police brutality in major cities across the United States in wake of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others during policing operations.

Protest group NOlympics LA included putting “an end to police militarization” on its platform aimed at stopping the organization and staging of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The group argued, “from a safety and policing perspective, the Olympics threaten some of our most vulnerable communities: immigrants, the formerly incarcerated, sex workers, the homeless, the disabled, low income people of color, and so on,” adding, “the Olympics also further criminalize homelessness and privatize public space.”

Regardless of the role played by police during the 2022 World Games, it’s clear that local officials, international organizers, and other interested parties will be keeping a close eye on security measures and activities during the 2022 World Games.

Recent Articles

The Friendship Games organized against Russia against the IOC will have the participation of 70 countries

The World Friendship Games (WFG) will feature competitions in 36 sports and will award 283 medals to the winners. The Russian Government announced that a press conference will soon be held to present them with more details and clarified that the invitations to participate are addressed to athletes and not to countries.
The Friendship Games organized against Russia against the IOC will have the participation of 70 countries

Clues about the pebetero: it will not be in the stadium but in the middle of Paris and in public view

From France, information indicates that the site chosen for the Olympic fire to be lit since July 26 would be the emblematic Tuileries Garden. Official sources did not confirm the fact, but they recognize the idea that it is located in the heart of Paris and in full view of fans.
Clues about the pebetero: it will not be in the stadium but in the middle of Paris and in public view

Nearly a thousand boats will welcome the torch in France

The parade in the Mediterranean will be minutes before disembarkation at the Old Port of Marseille; they must meet certain requirements and apply to participate.
Nearly a thousand boats will welcome the torch in France

France says it will “be ready” to ensure safety at the Olympic Games while raising the alert level

The attack in Moscow threatened the whole of Europe and security in Paris is once again in the spotlight, just four months after the parade of delegations on the Seine River.
France says it will “be ready” to ensure safety at the Olympic Games while raising the alert level

Will Paris 2024 have its red carpet?

Although all the expectations for July 26 are set on an opening ceremony that promises to be extraordinary, it is likely that, in the hour before the party, the world will attend a parade of luminaries from sports, arts and entertainment.
Will Paris 2024 have its red carpet?