USA: ATLANTA: THOUSANDS RETURN FOR OLYMPIC GAMES AFTER BOMBING

Описание: (28 Jul 1996) Eng / Nat

Security forces are on alert again Sunday in Atlanta, where thousands are returning to Olympic venues after the Centennial Park bombing.

They return despite the fear of another terror attack like the one on Saturday morning that rocked this Olympic city, leaving two people dead.

The games of the Centennial Olympiad continue in Atlanta, at Olympic Stadium and other venues around the city.

Thousands of people returned to the city, only a day after terrorism hit it with brutal violence.

Despite a terrorist bomb that left two dead and over a hundred injured, scores of people headed for the Olympic Stadium.

And despite scores of bogus bomb threats since the bombing hit Centennial Park, officials say the turnout Sunday is heavy.

The crowds returned, amid tighter-than-usual security.

Analysts say security at Olympic venues is tighter than ever, backed by an army both seen and unseen.

SOUNDBITE:
"Well I think its running the normal course to volunteers regarding security we have various layers here, volunteers who have been asked to pay attention to things and who to report anything suspicious to lower level of security like the military, that you see around, sometimes are rather lounging about and the top end of that is a quick reaction force."
SUPER CAPTION: William Waugh, Security Analyst, Georgia State University

And unlike public places like Centennial Park, officials seem confident the heavily controlled access to Olympic venues will be enough to protect against any further terrorist attacks.

SOUNDBITE:
"Again its a case of we all are at some sort of risk at any sort of event from a car race to the Olympics, but I think the authorities minimize it as much as possible."
SUPER CAPTION: William Waugh, Security Analyst, Georgia State University

But the challenge is different at Centennial Park, the scene of Saturday morning's terror bombing.

Investigators are still combing the site for clues to the attack.

Authorities say they may reopen the park as early as Sunday night, with the help of newly mobilized Army national guard troops.

But there is likely to be apprehension, among officials and the public alike.

SOUNDBITE:
"Well there is going to be some dissipation of the threat because people are going to relax a little bit more as time goes on. The question is that if they don't resolve the issue why it occurred there is going to be some uncertainty about it."
SUPER CAPTION: William Waugh, Security Analyst, Georgia State University

There were signs of a quick recovery of confidence on the streets of Atlanta, where crowds returned on their way to Olympic venues.

Local police say they're on alert for anything unusual as the crowds grow larger.

SOUNDBITE:
"Well like you said it is impossible to keep an eye on every single person in the crowd. Things that we look for are things that are out of the ordinary, some one puts out a package and walks away, comes back and picks it up again and does that repeatedly then we will question him as to what his motives are."
SUPER CAPTION: Andrew Setzer, Atlanta Police officer

Vendors selling Olympic souvenirs are hopeful too that Centennial Park will open again soon for business.

SOUNDBITE:
"We make do, the police realize that we cannot see in there so they let us come out here. We are trying to create the atmosphere that we had last week for the people because I feel bad for the people who set aside two days to come down here.
SUPER CAPTION: Peter Forsythe, vendor


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