Olympics: London makes security top priority

LONDON - Security arrangements for the 2012 Olympics are a top priority, Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Olympic Committee, said today.

Security was already high on the agenda before last week's suicide bombings in London that killed over 50 people but so far no changes have been made to current safety plans, Coe said.

"Security has always been one of the most key things," Coe told a news conference after meeting Bob Carr, premier of New South Wales, who oversaw the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

"In practical terms it is what the Games hinge on," Coe said.

"We will look at all the issues related to security. Nothing has been altered."

Just one day after London was awarded the 2012 Olympics, the British capital was hit by four bombings, which also injured 700 people, on Thursday.

Carr said before the Sydney Games, organisers from Australia came to Britain to learn about security planning.

"In 2000, Australia was a long way from terrorism," said Carr, pointing to London's experience in coping with bombings by the nationalist Irish Republican Army.

"There is an enormous amount for the Brits to learn but not about security," said Carr.

A UK police division worked at the Sydney Games and also at the 2004 Games in Athens.

Keith Mills, chairman of London 2012, said the Olympic village in London would follow Sydney's example of bringing together as many facilities as possible in one place.

"It is what athletes want and it is the best security model," he said.

Carr said he had invited the London 2012 team to Sydney.

"Our bid has already leant heavily on the Australian experience," Coe said.

- REUTERS