Vancouver 2010 Security Ramped Up

Air space over Vancouver and Whistler Mountain has been largely closed, about 900 surveillance cameras have been erected around Olympic venues as part of the land, sea and air operation, and about 5,200 Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 4,500 members of the Canadian Forces, 1,800 regional police officers, and 5,000 private security officials will be deployed.

Security consultant Ray Mey, who was involved in planning security for the 2002 Salt Lake City Games said, "you can do the best you can, you can take extraordinary measures to do as much as you can to protect the public and protect the event, but there is no way you can completely secure an event like that".

He added, "the challenge is to find a balance between a celebration of sport and protection of the public".

Skies over the Olympic venues will also be closed to all traffic except scheduled flights, and security force aircraft and marine patrol vessels will provide waterside security in Vancouver while soldiers on skis, snowshoes, in snowmobiles and Swedish-designed snowmobile vehicles will be deployed around Whistler.

DPA reports spectators are being told to expect airport-like controls at venues and are being advised to travel light and arrive early.

Also, those purchasing tickets should arrive up to four hours early for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, three hours early for the mountain events, and two hours early for events in Vancouver.

Only those with a bag smaller than 15 cm x 15 cm x 30 cm, or no bag at all, will be directed to an express lane.

Mike Cote of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit said, "the less things you bring with you the quicker you'll be able to go through these screening devices".

Although there is "no specific threat against the 2010 Games", Cote said, "our strategy has been to plan towards a medium level of security so it can be ramped up at a moment's notice".