IOC Security Expert on London 2012 Challenges; Glimpse Inside Olympic Village

IOC security consultant Peter Ryan says he hopes measures in place for London 2012 will not hamper the enjoyment of Games visitors.

Speaking at the International Sport Security Conference in Doha Thursday, Ryan told delegates that the IOC will leave all security issues to Britain and not become an interfering influence.

"The position of the IOC on security is that it is the sole business of the host country," he said.

"Our concerns are that the security becomes so intrusive that it affects the enjoyment of the spectators or distracts the athletes."

Without giving any specific examples, Ryan said he had observed some "intrusive security" at previous Games that had upset athletes and "made them feel uncomfortable for some reason".

He said the IOC was closely monitoring London's ongoing security preparations but no intervention would be necessary, "providing that what is agreed does not interfere with what we are there to see, which is a huge massive sporting event that has to run smoothly".

Ryan also confirmed that foreign teams and officials are "absolutely forbidden" from carrying weapons at the 2012 Olympics, although certain exceptions are made for athletes such as fencers.

"The only exception to this is the host nation. There may be some latitude when it comes to very high-profile people from high-profile nations but we will see," he said.

The issue of security has been at the forefront of many discussions about London 2012, with concerns ranging from the possibility of terrorist attacks to the recent Occupy movement which had up until recently been stationed outside St Paul’s Cathedral.

But it is how the British government and Olympic organizers’ deal with other security issues during the Games that is of most concern for Ryan.

"What we concentrate too much on sometimes is terrorism because it’s a big thing. But two to three thousand other incidents a day are keeping our officers occupied," he said.

"Kids falling over a rail, people having heart attacks, suspicious packages. These sorts of things really do present a problem for the organizing committee.

"What I want to see is how their everyday policing copes - how can they incorporate in a normal everyday environment to support the people keeping the venues running, keeping the transport running."

John Stevens, former commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police, was also speaking on the panel about planning for a "Secure Olympic and Paralympic Games".

He said his main hope for a London 2012 legacy would simply be a "safe Games".

"The legacy will be lessons learned to take forward to the next Games and also to future big events that London will host," he added.

First Glimpse Inside Athletes' Village

The first completed Games-time apartments in the Olympic and Paralympic villages were unveiled Thursday.

It will house up to 16,000 athletes and team officials during the Olympics, and 6,200 athletes and team officials plus 1,000 referees and umpires during the Paralympics, all drawn from more than 200 countries.

LOCOG and its partners are underway with their fit-out andoverlay work to get the village ready for the Games.

The village is being kitted out with more than 16,000 beds, including extendable beds for basketball players and taller athletes, 9,000 wardrobes and 11,000 sofas. Accommodation ranges from one-bedroom apartments up to 4 and 5 bedroom townhouses. No more than two athletes will share a room.

Each of the 2,818 apartments, spread across 11 residential plots, will have its own comfortable lounge to include a television provided by IOC TOP sponsor Panasonic, along with BT Infinity, the latest fiberoptic broadband from BT.

LOCOG said the residential blocks will be run to "hotel standards", with Holiday Inn supplying experienced personnel and concierge staff and services.

"The first Games-time apartments offer an early glimpse of the gold-medal standard village we are delivering to help athletes prepare for one of the biggest sporting moments of their lives," London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said.

The fit-out of athletes’ apartments will be completed in June. The Olympic Village Plaza, main social hub of the village with essential services including an internet lounge, bank beauty and grooming salon, will be finished around the same time.

Other work still to be done includes construction of the temporary 24-hour restaurant with 5,000 seats, together with a McDonald’s restaurant in the main dining hall.

LOCOG expects 25,000 loaves of bread, 232 tonnes of potatoes, 75,000 liters of milk and 330 tonnes of fruit and vegetables to be consumed by athletes during the Games.

Post-Games, the village will be transformed into 2,818 new homes in a new community of east London to be known as East Village. Of these, 1,379 have been purchased by joint venture Triathlon Homes to provide high-quality affordable housing.

The remaining properties will become private housing.

Duchess of Cambridge Drops in on Hockey Players

The Duchess of Cambridge joined Great Britain's men’s and women’s hockey squads at the Games-time venue on Thursday.

She toured the Olympic Park and visited the hockey players in her role as an official Team GB ambassador for the Games.

The Duchess was welcomed by Team GB’s chef de mission Andy Hunt and Team GB hockey team leader David Faulkner before meeting the captains of the men’s and women’s teams – Barry Middleton and Kate Walsh.

The Duchess, who was captain of her school hockey team at Marlborough College, took part in a light training session with players on the blue Olympic hockey pitch at the Riverside Arena.

"Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge’s presence at the Olympic Park today has provided Team GB and the sport of hockey with a fantastic boost ahead of London 2012," Hunt said.

"We are very privileged to have the support of our Team GB Ambassadors as we prepare Team GB to perform to the best of its ability at the greatest sporting event in the world this summer.

With reporting in Doha from Christian Radnedge and Mark Bisson.

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