Operational centers at each Olympic venue to be linked to a central command station
One of the most important aspects of the entire security operation focuses on the venues themselves, around which a series of measures will be taken on a sliding scale. A security cordon will be in place around the perimeter of each venue and, where conditions permit or needs require, a second perimeter enclosing an intermediate security zone for the circulation of police and other emergency vehicles. The security cordons will have four vehicle entry points, one each for athletes, officials, media and spectators. At a radius of 50-400 meters around each venue will be a zone of restricted access and circulation to which only accredited vehicles will have access. If this zone includes a residential area, residents will be supplied with entry cards. Outside this perimeter will be a second zone with a radius of 100-1,000 meters, with restricted parking in certain streets selected to serve transport requirements for the Games. Cameras and movement sensors will be installed to monitor these areas, and the perimeters will be guarded and patrolled. As each venue is completed and before it is handed over, a detailed security inspection by specialized personnel will take place. When given the all-clear it will be locked and security measures will go into effect. From that moment on, the process of monitoring access for vehicles, personnel and objects begins, with the use of magnetic gates, X-ray equipment, hand-held metal detectors and other means. Each Olympic venue will have its own operational center with representatives of all agencies involved and linked with the Olympic Security Center to be sited at the Attica General Police Department. At a strategic level, the plan is being implemented by the Olympic Strategic Security Center, headed by the Greek police chief, housed at the Ministry of Public Order. At the political level, the plan is being coordinated by the minister for public order. Perhaps the most important Olympic venue is the main Olympic Stadium (OAKA), where the closing and opening ceremonies will be held as well as many of the events. It consists of the five individual venues, the stadium itself, the Indoor Hall, the Tennis Center, the Aquatic Center and Velodrome, all of which according to the security plan have five independent administrative structures. OAKA’s security, around which security zones will be set up as described above, is where the largest security force is likely to be deployed. Another important security site is the Olympic Village, where 10,500 athletes and some 5,500 people accompanying them will stay, and where some 10,585 people will be employed. Security personnel will be backed up by movement detectors around the perimeter, cameras, magnetic gates, X-ray equipment, and portable magnetometers. Both inside and outside the village there will be foot and vehicle patrols.
