Every four years the world gathers together for the Olympics. Preparations are made the course is constructed, the athletes train to achieve that gold medal, and security preparations are meticulously planned. For the Winter Sochi Olympics, security is on the top agenda.
On Feb. 8, 2014, a known Islamic Terrorist group who have been held responsible for the death of 34 people by suicide bombers, sent a video threat of attack at the Sochi Olympics. Ruzana Ibragimova also known as a “Black Widow” is apart of the Islamic group and is the one of the terrorist’s who had sent the video. Ibragimova was part of the group with her fiance who was killed by the Russian military. After the video was sent, the Russian government has been on the hunt for Ibragimova as well as her colleagues who are working with her.
Russian officials and many other countries have taken the security threat very seriously to protect the athletes and attendees of the Olympics. For standard precautions as to prevent and prepare if an attack happens, according to CBS News, “Two Naval ships have been placed in the Black Sea to watch the coast for any threats”. While on land Russian military forces have created what they call a “Ring of Steel” around the event.
Previously the Russian security searched each individual attending the Olympics. Men were given more pat down searches than women and more people who seemed suspicious would be taken to the side and searched, however the Russian’s are creating a more effective approach. With the threat of both women and men who could be apart of this Islamic Terrorist group searches have become the same, regardless of gender.