The International Olympic Committee is looking into whether it could be held liable in the event of a terrorist attack at the Salt Lake Winter Games.
IOC president Jacques Rogge asked the committee’s legal experts Monday to study the organization’s liability if terrorists should hit the Salt Lake Games.
“We are examining under what circumstances could the IOC be responsible if something happens, what are the measures we have to take to avoid risks”, IOC executive Marc Hodler said. Hodler, a Swiss lawyer, is head of the IOC panel that oversees the 2002 Olympics. He is scheduled to travel to Salt Lake in late October to inspect preparations.
“First of all, we have to know where the risks come from, how (the terrorists) are organized, what could be the nature of the risks and what measures can be taken against the risks. That’s a very complex problem. Nobody even thought of using civil planes as bombs. They may have other things in mind”.
U.S. IOC member Anita DeFrantz, a member of the legal commission, said officials would continue to study the liability issue. But the Los Angeles lawyer said the host city contract signed by Salt Lake organizers and the IOC left no doubt in her mind. “The contract is pretty clear—-the IOC is not liable”, she said.
DeFrantz, a former Olympic rower, said while athletes may be concerned about safety in Salt Lake, they should be prepared for extra security, even if it means the Games have a more militarized look. “I have every confidence the experts in security have been on it and will certainly be checking and rechecking the plans”.
