(ATR) Rio 2016 security measures are expected to be expanded and become much more visible.
As the government continues to increase security plans for the Games, two simulations took place this weekend to help prepare security forces for potential Olympic terror threats.
On July 16 national forces simulated a hijacking of a train that could be used to carry Olympic tourists to the Deodoro Olympic Park. Around 500 Brazilian forces were involved, and the drill included terrorists setting off a bomb on the train holding personnel hostage. Counter-terrorism forces then disarmed the situation as part of the exercise.
The next day local media reported that 2,000 officers took part in a preparation exercise around the Maracana Stadium to prepare security measures for before the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Local roads were disrupted, and around 250 buses were used to simulate how the more than 10,000 athletes will be transported to the stadium to participate.
The demonstrations come as government officials say they are reviewing the Olympic security plan in the wake of the Nice, France terrorist attacks. Brazilian Interim President Michel Temer called for an emergency security meeting on July 15, the same day that officials were meeting in Rio.
"There will be much more security," Temer said to TV Globo after the meeting. "We are very prepared."
Sergio Etchegoyen, Minister of Institutional Security Office, said in a statement after the meeting with Temer that new security measures will begin to be adopted this week and will include increased road blocks, traffic restrictions, and diverting the flow of spectators farther away from specific venues.
Brazilian defense minister Raul Jungmann visited Rio de Janeiro during the demonstrations to conduct a separate anti-terrorism measure with 215 members of the Brazilian air force. He said in a statement before arriving that there will be an increased use of metal detectors to screen spectators during the Games.
"It is critical we conduct overtly and with visibility because it will give a sense of security to Rio and tourists, and at the same time inhibit anyone who wants to disrupt or harm the security of the Games," Jungmann said. "We need to improve security, make it more rigid and, of course, cover any remaining gaps."
As security efforts continue to be beefed up, officials say that they have denied 40 credential requests of individuals flagged by worldwide intelligence agencies for terrorism connections.
The federal Antiterrorism Integrated Center (CIANT), who handled Olympic accreditation checks, said to O Globo that four of the 40 individuals had proven links to terrorism, while the rest were currently being investigated.
Nuzman, Golfers Trade Words
The head of the Rio 2016 organizing committee believes that Zika remains a timely excuse for top Olympic golfers to skip the upcoming Olympic Games.
Nuzman told the AP on July 16 that despite many of the world’s top golfers saying they are skipping the Olympics for health concerns, "the media have shown that they are not coming because there's no prize money."
The 2016 Olympic golf tournament is scheduled one week after the final of the Professional Golf Association’s four majors, which has only added to a very crowded schedule for the world’s top golfers. None of the world’s four best golfers will be in Rio, and ahead of last week's Open Championship Rory McIlroy said he would "watch the [sports] that matter" during the Olympics, which did not include golf.
Adam Scott, a golfer from Australia, was one of the first to pull out of the Olympics and said that Nuzman made an unfair assumption with his comments.
"I don't know where he would get that idea," Scott told Australian media after the British Open. "That's just assumptions and I think they've made a lot, and obviously that's dangerous. I made my decision based on my priorities and where my life's at, at the moment."
Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro
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