Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

However, with the sandals associated with the SLC games and to some extent
the 2000 games and with an investigation on going related to the Atlanta
games, the issue of a particular country, organizations or individuals giving
specific finanical support is I would expect not in the cards and the cost
and implementation would fall on the organizing country. Even with the most
aggressive physical security measures, securing a large expance of land and/or
trail is very difficult. 

There are very few places with as rigid and robust physical security in place
as CIA headquarters. That, however, didn't stop a terrorist from slipping
close enough to take shots with his AK47 at the employees going to work,
killing 7 if my memory serves me right. Even with the physical security measures
at the '96 games it still didn't stop the bomb.  

And securing CIA headquartes is a piece of cake compared to an endurance
trail. And it gets back to is it worth it for a low interest spectator sport.

Truman

Heidi Smith wrote:

>I suspect that security in and of itself will be a major deterrent to endurance ever being in the Olympics. And yes I think those that see endurance in the Olympics are in a state of self delusion. The IOC sure doen't want to see a replay of '72 where the terriorist attact took center stage.

Again, though, Truman, don't forget that the financial pressure is being applied here by people who are willing to have 15 vehicles and a helicopter for practically every horse on the course, and are willing to design courses where same can follow the entire event.  While these be considerations that would stop those of us who look upon endurance with our own traditional American values, those are not the premises on which endurance is being put forth here.  And again, I'm not trying to make a value judgment here--just making an observation about what I see happening.

 

Heidi