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U.S. athletes cautioned not to wear team gear outside Sochi Olympic venues

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The U.S. Olympic Committee has advised athletes taking part in the upcoming Sochi Games to avoid wearing their uniforms or Team USA logos outside Olympic venues, the State Department said Friday.

The warning for American athletes not to advertise their nationality due to security concerns came in a memo from the committee, which prepared it with the advice of the State Department, officials said, confirming a report in the Wall Street Journal.

State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said "the U.S. Olympic Committee, I think, had discussed with its athletes, as part of how to sort of stay safe and things to look out for as part of the Games, this issue about ... just being careful about where you wear U.S. logos or things like that."

She said that "we are in very close contact with the U.S. Olympic Committee on issues related to security."

But she added that Russia was not a unique case and that the government often provides similar advice for "big international events."

The White House has signaled concern over Russia's security preparations for next month's Winter Games in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, with officials privately complaining about Moscow's refusal to share intelligence on terror threats.

The United States has said repeatedly it is ready to provide help to Russia to ensure security for the event, a question which came up in a telephone conversation on Tuesday between President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Pentagon has announced it is deploying two warships to the Black Sea as a "precaution" in case of a terror attack.

Islamist insurgents based in North Caucasus republics such as Dagestan, who are seeking their own independent state, have vowed to disrupt the Games in a bid to undercut Putin.

In a recent video threat posted on a prominent North Caucasus Islamist website, two men sitting in front of a jihadist flag warn of planned attacks at the February 7-23 event.

© (c) 2014 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

10 Comments
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What the joke is "deploy warships as a precaution" when no precaution or action with the attack on the Libyan US Embassy. Warnings given, hours long standoff and no support, and the aftermath no arrests!

And we need to support Russia in a terrorist response? Silly administration!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@techall - hey, it's the u.s., we can do anything (militarily).

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

How does one combine the Olympic Spirit with warships on standby in the Black Sea? -- One doesn't.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The Pentagon has announced it is deploying two warships to the Black Sea as a “precaution” in case of a terror attack.

To stage an attack INSIDE Russian territory?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Chechens are more likely to target Russian athletes and Russians in general. Ergo, the U.S. Olympic Committee should advise U.S. athletes not to go where large groups of Russians congregate.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

All jokes aside, I do not think anybody wants to see horrible violence!! (Except evil terrorists, and other crazy bastards)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

After winning gold, wave a nondescript white towel overhead rather than the customary national flag. Corporate logos, on the other hand, should be displayed at all times.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The world is in a sad state when these and other events are surprised by the ignorant.

I sure hope all the worlds athletes can perform at their best! No distractions and concerns. Focus on your athleticism and skills!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Didnt the American politicians were rejoiced to see a bloody nosed Russian Winter Olympics to express their frustrations over Mr Putin? When the Russian people suffered from suicide bomb attacks, they said this is what Putin has done to the Checheans and they deserved!

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Nice! It is an INTERNATIONAL event and some countries, like the USA are being warned NOT to wear their USA LOGOs?? Does PUTIN really have this olyimpic event under control?? I hope there is NO repeat of the mess that happened in Munich with Palestinians killing innocent Israeli Olympic athletes etc..or now American, Russian, heck I hope none of my Mexican amigos go all the way to Sochi, freeze their poor butts off and end up getting caught in the wrong place at the wrong time kind of incident. Let the Olympic Games begin!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

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