ANKARA
Russia is carrying out last minute preparations ahead of the start of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on Friday amid growing concerns about the security situation in the country.
Russia has tried to reassure the participant countries that the country's security issues will be properly met. Countries with the largest contingent of athletes, including the U.S. and U.K., have voiced serious concerns.
US National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Director Matthew Olsen on Wednesday pointed out that the number of threats reported in Sochi has increased.
"There is extensive security at event sites. The bigger threat is to the softer targets in the greater Sochi area, in the outskirts and beyond. We have seen an uptick in the number of threats in Sochi. We expected this given where the Olympics are located. There are a number of extremists in the area."
- Washington offers helping hand to Moscow during the Games -
On January 21, the Pentagon offered Russia to set up a robust security apparatus for the upcoming 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
The US has said it's ready to provide air and naval assets, including ships in the Black Sea, available for all manner of contingencies.
Moscow has not responded to the overture.
US House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul also described the security risk as, "the greatest I think I've ever seen because of the proximity of potential terrorists to the Olympic village."
The US State Department also advised Americans planning to travel to Russia for the Olympic Games to, “be aware of their personal surroundings and follow good security practices.”
On orders of President Vladimir Putin, Russian authorities have carried out a massive security operation for the Olympics, deploying more than 50,000 police, soldiers and interior ministry troops.
Dmitry Chernyshenko, the chief organizer of the Olympics described Sochi as the, “most secure venue on the planet” and promises tight security measures that will not detract from the atmosphere of the games.
Sochi, a Black Sea resort city, is considered by many to be a target for terrorist activities due to its proximity to the restive North Caucasus region. The region has been marred by conflict and acts of terror since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Doku Umarov, the leader of the Chechen separatist movement, issued a video message in July 2013 that called for attacks at the Olympics.
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