Olympic security beefed up

2004-03-12 12:14

Athens - Greece defence minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos said on Friday security for the Olympic Games in August had been stepped up following the Madrid bomb blasts.

"The security plan's structure will not be modified but it will be strengthened," he said.

Nato had already pledged to help and Greece had already committed more than 50 000 members of the security forces and emergency services to protecting the athletes, officials and visitors.

The total cost for Greece will be more than €650 million - an Olympic record.

A specially formed Olympics advisory group of seven countries - Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Israel and the US - meets monthly to provide advice about security measures. Russia also provides expertise.

Greek forces recently carried out exercises to test the ability of around 2 000 members of the police, military, coast guard, fire brigade and medical services to react to an attack involving a weapon of mass destruction.

Greece's prime minister-elect Costas Karamanlis personally took charge of preparations for the Olympics on Tuesday as the conservative leader presented a new government five months before the Games.

- AFP