Security tightens as Games nears

RIO DE JANEIRO – Filipino athletes in this Rio Olympics began to taper down Wednesday as the security lid got tighter and tighter so close to the opening ceremony at the historic Maracana Stadium.

Security inside the Athletes Village, as travel-weary delegates from the 206 participating countries continued to pour in, remained at a very high level.

In and around this city of fine beaches and beautiful women, security forces are everywhere. Police and military personnel are positioned blocks apart like there’s an impending coup.

The close to 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials, and an estimated 500,000 tourists out to witness the Games from Aug. 5 to 21, will have to live with it.

Organizers are deploying a security force of 85,000 to look after their safety.

The host country, according to Filipino chef-de-mission Jose Romasanta, is doing everything to make sure no untoward incident happens before, during and after the Games.

Despite threats of terrorism, not counting concerns about the Zika virus and political instability in Brazil, the Games will go on.

“In events of this magnitude, security is always a major concern. There is threat of terrorism and it’s around us. We can feel it,” said Romasanta eight days before the opening ceremony.

Different heads of states, including the French president, and sports ministers will grace the Aug. 5 opening at the 79,000-seat stadium that was built to host the 1950 World Cup.

It’s a security nightmare.

“It’s really a nightmare,” said Col. Antonio Tamayo Jr., a security expert. He is second vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee and soft tennis chief back home.

“It’s like an impossible dream to secure the Olympics for the next three more weeks. The way it’s happening around the world, terrorists will take any chance,” said Tamayo.

Under the Joseph Estrada presidency, Tamayo worked for the Presidential Security Group as commander of the Presidential Escorts.

According to the Army officer, securing the Olympics is perhaps 10 times tougher than securing a United Nations General Assembly.

“This is bigger. Here you consider each athlete a diplomat. That’s why inside the Athletes Village, Brazil’s Special Forces carry long, high-powered firearms,” he said.

“The level we are seeing here is when organizers have decided after all the inputs that this is the kind of security they need. To see Special Forces walking around venues carrying high-powered firearms means that security is at the extreme measure,” Tamayo added Wednesday.

He compared the Athletes Village to a castle or even Malacañang, which, he said, is considered as the inner ring, where security is tightest.

The problem, he said, is for those outside the circle.

“Security is in place for the athletes and delegates. But how about security for the tourists that are coming in and scattered all over, in hotels, restaurants, malls and tourist spots. They’re outside the ring,” he said.

“The dictates in France and in other countries underline the threat. Very extra-ordinary ang style like what happened in Nice,” said Tamayo, who added that for events like this, more than physical security is needed.

“It’s like Malacañang where even the food is controlled. There are security arrangements. The Athletes Village and the competition venues represent the inner ring. It’s where security is always tightest,” he said..

“I believe Brazil has done everything it can. The challenge is to try and identify where security might collapse,” he said.

“It usually happens outside the inner ring where a compromise might happen,” he added.

As the Games draw closer, the seven Filipino athletes who are here ahead of the five others continued to do their chores in training.

“Our athletes are ready. There’s nothing more to do. They’ve trained long and hard. They’re ready. All they’re doing now is to stay in top form,” said Romasanta.

Ian Lariba of table tennis was out jogging as early as 6 a.m. and was at the training venue before noon. Swimmers Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Khing Lacuna were at the pool at noontime. Weighlifters Nestor Colonia and Hidilyn Diaz trained early as well.

Long jumper Marestella Torres did sprints on the track and was at the fitness center in the evening, joined by taekwondo’s Elaine Alora who did light sparring with coach Kitoy Cruz.

Boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez are checking in Thiursday morning from Las Vegas, to be followed by hurdler Eric Cray from Houston, marathoner Mary Joy Tabal from Japan and Miguel Tabuena from Manila.

“We’re all set, safe and sound,” said Romasanta.