(27 Jul 1996) T/I: 11:12:43
The International Olympic Committee faced a barrage of questions concerning security at the Atlanta games in a press conference on Saturday (27/7). The press conference was held in the wake of the bomb explosion at Centennial Park which killed two people and injured another 110.
The Chief Operating Officer of the Atlanta Committee Olympic
Games, Ed Frazier, insisted that security had been in place.
He stressed that the Olympic park is not a sporting venue, and
hence was open to the general public. The implication was that the
the 20 acre area was less subject to extensive scrutiny.
Responding to a reporter's question about athletes wanting to go
home, Francois Carrard, an IOC representative, said he was not
aware of any expressing that desire. By contrast, he had heard a
lot of support for continuation of the games, he added.
Outside the mood was sombre at the Olympic stadium as the games
resumed. Flags flew at half mast and security was tightened. One
minute's silence was observed to respect the dead.
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SHOWS:
ATLANTA, USA 27/7:
SOT Ed Frazier, Chief Operating Officer Atlanta Committee Olympic Games: "Our security procedures at the olympic venue are in place as they have been and will continue to be. I would point out that Centennial Park was not a sporting venue and was open to the public and was not part of the sports competition or areas with extensive security precautions. We work on maintaining the schedule of competition and the crowds have continued to arrive... the lines for queueing are moving... patrons are understanding and the competitions are going on with the same intensity as you'd expect."
Two shot Frazier and Carrard
WS of presser;
SOT Reporter question - asking about whether any athletes want to leave and was there any surveillance in the park and what is the situation with the park now
SOT Francois Carrard, International Olympic Committee: "I think as to the athletes we are not aware of any expressing desire to leave... I've heard quite a lot of support for continuation of the games."
SOT Frazier: "I will not comment on security at the park... it is closed temporarily and it will likely be closed for the balance of today and tonight... we are working to have it partially opened."
WS of presser;
SOT Frazier: "During the planning for the developmenmt of Centennial park it's important to look at circumstances surrounding it - the twenty acres were in disrepair and it was designed to be an open space... it was for people to gather and enjoy the ambience of the Olympic Games and surrounding activities... it was not to be a competition venue and was implemented as planned."
WS of presser;
3.18 vision
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