Olympic athletes worried about safety at the 2014 Sochi Games
While Olympic officials continue to insist they can stage a safe and secure 2014 Sochi Games, athletes from around the world are beginning to voice doubts after the twin bombings in Russia this week.
Torah Bright, the defending women’s halfpipe champion from Australia, says she might stay home in February.
“If the political position gets any worse, I sure as hell won’t be risking my safety just for an Olympic Games,†Bright told the Australian Associated Press.
Two-time gold medalist Seth Wescott said that if he qualifies for the U.S. snowboard cross team, he might not march in the opening ceremony.
“It definitely concerns me,†Wescott told USA Today. “I don’t want to be pessimistic about it. … I think you’re watching events start to happen. It’s a country that’s had massive amounts of internal strife that has manifested itself into actual combat. We’re not far away from where a lot of that has gone on in their country. It’s definitely a concern.â€
The bombings in Volgograd, about 400 miles from Sochi, claimed the lives of more than 30 people. As of Tuesday morning, no group had claimed responsibility.
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