Spitz raises Olympic fear

BBC News ^ | Tuesday, 27 April, 2004

[presidio9]

Olympic legend Mark Spitz believes security concerns may see the United States withdraw from the Athens Games. Spitz, who won seven swimming golds in 1972, says heightened terrorist fears may prompt drastic action from the US.

"I would say that about six months ago it was highly unlikely," Spitz told BBC Five Live.

"But each day it becomes more probable than not that ongoing conversations will take place as to how important it is to put athletes in harm's way."

A spokesman for the US Olympic Committee said: "Today there is absolutely no consideration given to the notion our team will not be in Athens."

But Spitz believes that any US decision to pull out of the Games will come at a late stage, and could trigger a "snowball effect" as other countries follow suit.

"We are looking under the microscope at all the different terrorist acts and we know there is a high degree of probability that something could happen in Athens," he said.

"Would it be political suicide to send a team there if you were the Bush administration?

"If you were to yank the carpet out from under the American team and nothing happened, would that be because they are only after Americans?

"If that does happen it will happen in the 11th hour and 59th minute."

[KingKangaroo]

Funny how this came out on the same day as the news that Ian Thorpe will be available to swim in said Olympics. I can smell some Americans who are scarwed of being whipped in the pool again :-)

[dead]

The guy was a good swimmer, but I doubt his bona fides on international terrorism.

I do think that Greece is going to get very nervous and basically turn over security at some point to US/NATO control.

But then again, I'm just a decent swimmer and also have no bona fides on international terrorism.

[dead]

Who is Ian Thorpe? A swimmer?

[happygrl]

I will never forget the Munich Olympics of 1972.

I would not place my confidence in the Greeks if I were an athelete. If their security preparations are anything like their facility construction, they will be waithing for the eqipment to arrive as the atheletes are deplaning at the airport. Idon't know of Spitz has any official role with the US Olympic Commitee, but I suspect he has his ear to the ground and has connections with some of the atheletes.

As a Jew who won his medals at the same Olympics, his opinion would be worth considering.

[happygrl]

Sorry about the typos. I'm about as good a swimmer as I am a typist.

[FreeHueco]

Ian Thorpe is an Aussie who has dominated his events in the past two Olympic Games.

Swimming is normally a battle between Aussies and Americans among the men, and between China and the USA for the women.

And I seriously doubt that W would pull the Olympic team..

[presidio9]

Mark's 15 minutes happened 30 years ago. Now he's too old to fail at another comeback attempt so the next best method for grabbing attention is to transform himself into some sort of aquatic Henry Kissenger.

[dfwgator]

I've been saying it for months, we ain't gonna go.

[happygrl]

No, I don't think ir's fear, I think it is an honest evaluation of the ability of Greece to provide security.

FWIW, I would be happier if they transferred the Olympics back to Sydney, as I have MUCH more confidence in the Aussies to take care of business.

[presidio9]

Who is Ian Thorpe? A swimmer?

American men everywhere are paralyzed with the terror that we will once again be emasculated by the vastly superior Aussie swimmers. Will our humiliation never end?

[Petronski]

...there is a high degree of probability that something could happen...

Duh! There is a 100% probability that something could happen. The question is, what is the probability that something will happen?

[Ol' Sox]

Is Spitz speaking for himself as a private citizen or in some official capacity?

[KingKangaroo]

It should alos be noted that in Sydney in 2000 the US 4 x 100m freestyale swimming team ponced about like arrogant fools and told the world how they were going to wipe the Aussies out (very polite guests).

We then promptly swam them out of the pool.

In all honesty, I think the chances of "something happening" are pretty high in Athens. But let's not forget that the Atlanta Games were bombed too.

If the US did withdraw its team just because of "fears" or "chatter", the it would be a major victory for Qaeda.

[dead]

Will the Aussies also dominate us in the synchronized swimming competitions? Water polo? Rythmic gymnastics?

Our humiliation will be great! 8-)

[Alberta's Child]

I don't have enough information about this to render an objective opion on the matter, but I'll throw this scenario out for consideration . . .

Come early summer, Greece's preparations for the Olympics are running so far behind schedule that they give a strong hint that Athens will not be prepared to stage the full Olympic games as scheduled. The U.S. is the first of many nations to pull out over "terror concerns." The IOC cancels the Games, basically to paper over the fact that they never should have awarded Athens the 2004 Olympics in the first place -- and they then collect on their $150+ million insurance policy for the cancellation.

[goodnesswins]

It would be an interesting message if President Bush did a Press Conf....saying...."In 1944 we were at WAR and there were no Olympic Games......for American's in 2004....we are at WAR and we will NOT participate in the Olympic Games"

MAYBE, just MAYBE some of the idgits out there would WAKE up.....not that I'm for this.....but, I can see its value.

[KingKangaroo]

The Sydney scum should be happy we Melburnians let them take our Olympic cloak once. Nothing for them anymore except Mardi Gras and the occassional race riot.

[randog]

Time to resurrect an old joke:

How do they fill Olympic swimming pools?

Mark Spitz.

[KingKangaroo]

No, but if your nancy-boy NFL players ever decided to lose the pads and play like real men, we'd do you in Aussie Rules and rugby.