Armed US guards to protect American athletes before Olympics

ATHENS, Greece -- Armed U.S. agents will watch over American athletes during a pre-Olympic training camp on the Greek island of Crete, The Associated Press has learned.

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Allowing armed escorts on the southern island could mark a gray area in Greece's Olympic security policies, which permit only domestic forces to have weapons.

Greek police spokesman Col. Lefteris Ikonomou repeated the government's position that no foreign agents can carry guns during the Aug. 13-29 games but would not discuss U.S. security plans before the competition starts.

However, a senior Greek security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the AP that at least 45 U.S. agents will accompany the American athletes and support staff to Crete beginning in early August and "about 24 of them will have a permit by Greek authorities to carry weapons."

The security force will also have dogs trained to detect explosives, said the source, who is familiar with the training camp. The official also said FBI agents visited Crete recently to work out details of the security plan.

Plans for armed escorts also were confirmed by another Greek security official aware of the preparations for the U.S. arrival. The Athens Olympics - the first summer games since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States - is viewed as a new model for international anti-terrorist cooperation. NATO will offer aerial patrols and other support. Greece also has worked closely with a seven-nation security advisory group, led by the United States and Britain.

But the issue of whether to permit armed security agents with the Olympic teams remains highly sensitive.

Greek officials feel such a plan would undermine their authority and could lead to incidents from foreign guards unfamiliar with the local environment, such as frequent street demonstrations, small firebombs from anarchist groups or motor scooter drivers going on sidewalks to avoid traffic.