U.S. military offers to help with security at 2014 Sochi Olympics
The U.S. has offered military assets to bolster security at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
The announcement comes just after it was learned that American warships and transport planes will be at the ready to evacuate U.S. athletes and officials in case of a terrorist attack.
“Air and naval assets, to include two Navy ships in the Black Sea, will be available if requested,” press secretary Rear Adm. John F. Kirby said in a statement. He added that “there is no such requirement at this time.”
Sochi is considered vulnerable because of its relative proximity to the North Caucasus region, where Islamic militants have waged a bloody insurgency. Suicide bombers recently struck in nearby Volgograd, killing more than 30 people.
Russian officials have poured tens of thousands of police and troops into Sochi and have insisted they can keep the Games safe.
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