Security Reaches the Mountaintop

You imagine trying to secure the Olympic downhill is like trying to eat soup with a fork. Locking down a domed stadium or an athletic village is difficult enough, but think of the colossal task involved in cordoning off a mountain.

Yet, that is the task officials take on starting today with the men’s downhill at Snowbasin Ski Area, followed Monday by the women’s downhill and other Alpine events.

“Quite frankly, I’m always paranoid at big events about my security,” two-time Olympic medal winner Picabo Street said.

“I’m a woman, first, and an American second. And I am semi-vulnerable being that my environment is outside. Those concerns were already on board.”

The downhill is one of the Winter Games’ premier events, and officials have gone to great lengths to make the ski venue safe. A crowd of nearly 25,000 is expected for the men’s downhill.

First, no one without a lift ticket, credential or event pass will be allowed within three miles of the venue at Snowbasin. Most spectators will have to park their vehicles several miles from the event and ride buses.

There is a car check station one mile from the base of Snowbasin, and at the venue perimeter, all persons will have to go through a metal detector and have their bags checked. This is called the “mag and bag.”

Also, unusual for an Olympic downhill, very few spectators will be allowed to line the course to watch the race. And, rest assured, the slopes will be teeming with Secret Service agents.

“Our primary objective is keeping bad things out of the venues,” David Tubbs, executive director of the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command, said.

Spectators will not be allowed to bring in bottles, cans or Thermoses.

“Our people don’t want to have to taste all those Thermoses,” Tubbs said.

Sometimes, common sense prevails. Initially, jars of baby food were not going to be permitted on site, but Tubbs said baby food is now OK.

“On other items I think the public has to be sensible,” he said.

Bottom line on spectator rules?

“Try to keep it simple,” Tubbs said.

Tubbs said every effort has been made to make Olympic venues safe but that there is no such thing as a 100% guarantee.

“We’ve put together the best plan we possibly could,” he said.

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Chris Dufresne