Security wasn’t a problem

Opinion: March 5, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

VANCOUVER

After devoting the single greatest part of my time to security most days at the 2010 Winter Olympics, I had to ask myself: Was it worth it? Would I willingly repeat the experience at future events of this kind?

Unequivocally, yes.

Americans and citizens of other countries must accept that we live in the Age of Terrorism. The players and rules have changed, which requires a modification of threat perceptions and accompanying behavior. It would be naive to believe a community could host the Olympics or something similar without substantial protective measures beyond the ordinary. Large, public, globally significant events with tremendous news-media coverage are simply too tempting to terrorists.

Indeed, Americans traveling to the Olympics this year received U.S. government warnings to remain vigilant about terrorist threats. One even specified that al-Qaida’s “demonstrated capability to carry out sophisticated attacks against sizable structures” made it one of the greatest potential threats to the Games.

Preparedness

In addition, Canadian officials conducted a series of preparedness exercises in advance of the Olympics. Those included so-called nightmare scenarios, such as one in which a terrorist used an artificial snow-making machine to blast radioactive material into a crowd. Although some people found those mock sessions unnerving, they served a useful purpose. The effort was not aimed at creating an environment of fear and insecurity, as some suggested. Rather, it sought to raise awareness and demonstrate capability. And it could well have deterred troublemakers.

Therefore, I welcomed walking miles along specially fenced, draped, barricaded and monitored paths; presenting my credentials and tickets; passing through metal detectors; having my bag searched; discarding partly consumed beverages because open containers were routinely forbidden (at some of the Games, no drinks were allowed); emptying my pockets; removing my heavy coat in the cold; assuming the outstretched-arm position for handheld security wands; and receiving frequent direction from a multitude of police officers, security personnel and other staff. The reward was peace of mind as I watched some of the world’s greatest athletes — from the men’s ski cross competition to ice dancing to the Canada-Germany men’s ice hockey game — perform without interference by miscreants.

John C. Bersia is the special assistant to the president for global perspectives at the University of Central Florida. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.