Ｅｎｓｕｒｉｎｇ　Ｏｌｙｍｐｉｃ　Ｓｅｃｕｒｉｔｙ.docVIP

Ｅｎｓｕｒｉｎｇ　Ｏｌｙｍｐｉｃ　Ｓｅｃｕｒｉｔｙ 　　 　　BEIJING, already a comparatively secure city, has taken special measures to ensure a safe Olympics. About four years ago, the Beijing Olympic Security Coordination Group was set up to establish a national command system involving the police, army and armed police, as well as security companies and volunteers. Since January 12 this year, security work has shifted from the planning to the implementation stages across the capital. “We have drawn up 546 detailed plans regarding security at Olympic venues, counterterrorism, intelligence, and the guarding of VIPs,” says Liu Shaowu, director of the BOCOG security department. 　　 　　Protecting Olympic Venues with 　　Technology 　　 　　Last August, in routine checks before the Olympic test events held in Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, 40 frogmen carrying detectors rapidly scanned the two-square-kilometer waterway. Over 100 sniffer dogs led by security inspectors combed every inch of the park’s lawn. In August and September, the venue will host the rowing, canoeing (flatwater), slalom and marathon swimming events, representing 32 and four Olympic and Paralympic competitions, respectively. 　　The 7.8-kilometer-long Olympic Boulevard linking the park to the Jing-cheng Expressway is monitored by electronic eyes, and traffic police will be on duty at every intersection. Every Olympic site is replete with similar monitoring systems to ensure security both inside and outside the venues. 　　The Beijing Olympic Security Command Center is employing advanced technologies to carry out anti-riot measures and security checks. Over 7,000 pieces of equipment have been installed in Olympic venues alone. “During the Beijing Olympics, we will use all technical means to carry out all-round security checks on personnel, goods, vehicles and sites,” says Liu Shaowu. “We hope for a ‘safe Olympics,’ but this doesn’t mean the Games will proceed under a solemn atmosphere; on the contrary, there will be no obviousl