Interpol Warns China of Potential Terrorism at Olympics
Late last week, the head of Interpol admitted there was a very real possibility that terrorists could target the Beijing Olympics for an attack.

Reuters is reporting that China has come down hard on anyone they fear could upset the Games, from people protesting against the demolition of their houses for venues to the country’s ethnic minorities.

“An attempted act of terrorism is a real possibility and a real concern that all Olympic host countries have shared in recent years,” Ronald Noble, the Interpol secretary general, said at the opening of the International Conference on Security Cooperation in Beijing last Friday. “Recent Tibet-related protests have introduced significant additional complications to the normal security considerations for a major international event like these Olympics.

“In light of recent events, all countries whose athletes will participate and whose citizens will attend the Beijing Olympics must be prepared for the possibility that the groups and individuals responsible for the violence during the global torch relay could carry out their protests at the actual Games,” he added.

Noble predicted that the activities could be anything from blocking major transportation routes and infrastructure or interfering with competitions, to violent acts like assaulting Olympic officials or athletes or destroying property.

An Interpol support team will arrive in Beijing before the Games to train Chinese officers in crisis management and major event operations, Noble added.