The United States, Britain, and Israel will be the only countries allowed to have armed guards during the coming Olympic Games in Athens. So state various press reports - though this was quickly denied by Greek officials. Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis said that though armed guards have always been allowed to accompany foreign leaders on their visits to Greece, "Greece is exclusively responsible for the protection and guarding of the athletes."
The Olympics will take place in Athens on August 13-29. At the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, the first games after 9/11, some 14 countries used their own armed guards.
Associated Press reported that in response to a request from Greece, the United States has committed 400 American special operations forces to help protect the Olympic Games. Israel will also send armed guards, the report states, and is among a half-dozen countries contributing security expertise at Greece's request. Eleven Israeli athletes were murdered by Palestinian terrorists in the 1972 Games at Munich, Germany. Australia is also interested in sending armed guards to the international competition.
The Olympics will take place in Athens on August 13-29. At the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, the first games after 9/11, some 14 countries used their own armed guards.
Associated Press reported that in response to a request from Greece, the United States has committed 400 American special operations forces to help protect the Olympic Games. Israel will also send armed guards, the report states, and is among a half-dozen countries contributing security expertise at Greece's request. Eleven Israeli athletes were murdered by Palestinian terrorists in the 1972 Games at Munich, Germany. Australia is also interested in sending armed guards to the international competition.