Olympics: Top-to-bottom overhaul for winter Olympics security

SALT LAKE CITY - Stunned Olympic officials said yesterday that security for next year's winter Olympics will be completely re-evaluated in the wake of the terrorist attacks.

But they vowed that the Games will go on as planned five months from now.

A $US200 million plan to protect athletes and spectators was no longer sufficient in the wake of the attacks, said Mitt Romney, president of the Salt Lake organising committee.

"I look for the Federal Government to revisit the public safety plans for the Games," he said.

"We will be fully engaged in that process and will make it our highest priority.

"The Games for me are a symbol of the human spirit and world peace. That symbol is needed more today than ever before."

Romney was in Washington DC, discussing security plans for the Games, when the terrorist attacks hit. He and his staff were evacuated to a private residence in Virginia.

The day before, Romney met the director of the FBI and members of Congress to review security plans and press for the final disbursement of $US12.7 million to government agencies for Olympic security.

Romney said that until yesterday's events, he had been satisfied with plans for Olympic security. Now, though, everything had changed.

- REUTERS

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