President Barack Obama believes that the Winter Olympics in Sochi are safe and he feels Americans shouldn't be afraid to travel to Russia for the Games amidst threats of terrorism in the country and the Olympic Games being a potential target.
ESPN reports that Obama said he believes that the Russian authorities "understand the stakes" involved in securing the surrounding areas of the Games and the Olympics themselves, while they also understand the potential threats. The report states that the U.S. is coordinating with Russia and officials have looked over the Russian security plans.
Obama said in an interview with CNN that there "are always risks" when having a large international event such as the Olympics and that he always feels better when those types of events are held in the U.S. so that American officials have full control over what will happen at the events.
According to ESPN, five days before the opening ceremony, new IOC President Thomas Bach will have a meeting with his inner cabinet to review final preparations for security plans for the Sochi Games on Sunday.
After terrorist attacks have occurred not too far from Sochi, the officials have revamped security and increased it in order to make sure nothing terrible happens at the Olympics. The Games thus far have been overshadowed by Western criticisms of Russia's law banning gay "propaganda" and the threat of terrorist attacks by Islamic insurgents from the North Caucasus region.
According to ESPN, Russia will have more than 50,000 police officers and soldiers to protect the Games, which is the largest in Olympic history and that the Sochi organizing committee will report to the IOC board on Sunday to discuss Russia's security operation.
IOC leaders are confident that the Games will be safe next month.
"I understand the sports facilities are ready and magnificent and I hope that the necessary security operation can be managed in such a way that safe games are delivered with a happy Olympic ambience," IOC vice president Craig Reedie of Britain said via The Associated Press.
Organizers believe that the Sochi venues will be the "most secure on the planet" heading into the Olympics.
"You can be sure the Russians will be doing everything to welcome everybody and make everybody feel comfortable," Bach said this week via ESPN.
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