WNA Beijing OlympicsWNA Beijing Olympics

Speculation of bomb scare at swim venue

Thursday, 7 August, 2008
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Beijing Olympic authorities are dealing with speculation of a bomb scare at the Games' swimming venue known as the Water Cube.

Organisers of the Beijing Games are expected to soon provide some details of a believed security scare at the venue.

BOCOG media and communications spokesman Jeff Ruffolo said there would be a media conference at 1700 local time (1900 AEST).

Ruffolo would not confirm any security scare at the swimming venue, adjacent to the main stadium to be used for Friday night's opening ceremony of the Beijing Games.

International Olympic Committee spokeswoman Sandrine Tonge said she was "not aware" of any bomb scare.

Specifics and the timing of any incident were not immediately clear, with Australian swimming officials saying they were not aware of any security threat but were receiving calls for clarification from media.

Australia's swimming team will commence competition at the Water Cube on Saturday.

More than 100,000 security personnel are patrolling Beijing and anti-missile barriers have been set up near the main stadium.

Military and police are on guard around the country for any signs of trouble.

China has made no apologies for its crackdown, warning terrorists from home and abroad are posing a massive threat to the Games.


Source: AAP

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