Olympics safety concerns follow Russian bombings

Olympic chiefs are monitoring the safety and security situation in Russia after a second suicide bomb hit the city of Volgograd, killing at least 14 people.

The suicide bombing on a trolleybus in the southern Russian city of Volgograd came a day after 17 people died in another suicide attack at the central station in the city.

With the Winter Olympics in Sochi, about 400 miles from Volgograd, due to open on February 7, the British Olympic Association (BOA) described the terror attacks as “a painful reminder of the threats that exist in our world today”.

The International Olympic Committee expressed its condolences over Sunday’s bombing in Volgograd, but said it was confident of Russia’s ability to protect the Games.

Russian Olympic committee chief Alexander Zhukov said on Monday there was no need to take any extra steps to secure Sochi in the wake of the Volgograd bombings, as “everything necessary already has been done”.

Russian authorities have introduced some of the most extensive identity checks and sweeping security measures ever seen at an international sports event.

Anyone wanting to attend the Games will have to buy a ticket online from the organisers and obtain a “spectator pass” for access. Doing so will require providing passport details and contacts that will allow the authorities to screen all visitors and check their identities upon arrival.

The security zone created around Sochi stretches approximately 60 miles along the Black Sea coast and up to 25 miles inland. Russian forces include special troops to patrol the forested mountains flanking the resort, drones to keep constant watch over Olympic facilities and speedboats to patrol the coast.

The security plan includes a ban on cars from outside the zone from a month before the Games begin until a month after they end.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) condemned the blasts.

IOC president Thomas Bach said: “This is a despicable attack on innocent people and the entire Olympic movement joins me in utterly condemning this cowardly act. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims.

“I have personally written to the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to express our condolences to the Russian people and our confidence in the Russian authorities to deliver safe and secure Games in Sochi.

“I am certain that everything will be done to ensure the security of the athletes and all the participants of the Olympic Games.

“Sadly terrorism is a global disease but it must never be allowed to triumph. The Olympic Games are about bringing people from all backgrounds and beliefs together to overcome our differences in a peaceful way.

“The many declarations of support and solidarity from the international community make me confident that this message of tolerance will also be delivered by the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.”