Security Warning for US Travelers to Sochi Olympic Games

The US State Department has upgraded a warning to travelers to the Sochi Winter Olympic Games, citing growing security concerns and the possibility of terror attacks.  While the warning did not say that Americans, in particular, are a target and did not specifically tell its citizens not to attend the games at all, it did advise them to remain extra vigilant if they attended.

“There is no indication of a specific threat to US institutions or citizens, but U.S. citizens should be aware of their personal surroundings and follow good security practices,” read a statement issued by the government on Friday.

Russia has been the scene of a number of violent terror attacks in recent months, including a string of suicide bombs in December, where over 30 people were killed.

The State Department said that it was confident that Moscow was doing all it could to address fears and problems, and would do whatever it could to protect athletes and visitors to the Winter Olympic Games.

“I think the Russian government understands the threat and is devoting the resources to address it,” noted the director of the US FBI, James Comey.

In addition, the US government warned its citizens about a new law passed in Russia, making it a crime to promote homosexuality. Foreigners found guilty could be imprisoned and deported, said the State Department. Many Americans are up in arms over Russia’s specific targeting of gays and some have said that they will use the Sochi Winter Olympic games to demonstrate against this policy.

In what has been as an unofficial snub to Russia’s new law, the US delegation to Sochi includes a number of openly gay athletes, such as former tennis great Billie Jean King and two-time Olympic hockey player Caitlin Cahow, who will represent the US at the closing ceremony.

“The U.S. delegation to the Olympic Games represents the diversity that is the United States,” said a White House spokesman. “All our delegation members are distinguished by their accomplishments in government service, civic activism and sports.”