"Severe" Security Threat; Wales Stands Firm; Swiss House

"Severe" Security Threat

One of Scotland Yard’s top officials says there is a "severe threat" of a terrorist attack during the London Olympics.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison was quoted by Agence France Presse saying: "There are a number of risks against the Games -- they can come from public order, some form of natural disaster, but the biggest one is terrorism. We're planning against the backdrop of a severe threat".

Allison, who is also National Olympic Security Coordinator, added: "It's severe now; I think it highly unlikely there will be an outbreak of world peace between now and the Games. Therefore we need to police accordingly."

He did say that Scotland Yard’s expertise will be an asset during the Games.

"Sadly as a society we've been having to deal with the impact of terrorism for many, many years.

"We've got quite a good bit of history, experience and knowledge and our society understands how to live in that sort of environment and still get to events."

Olympic Park will be a secured island during the Games. Allison said private firms would police the area to the point "we're happy that nothing can get in to that island site to disrupt it".

As many as 12,000 police could be on patrol during any given day during the Olympics.

Wales FA Insists Upon Own Olympic Team

Wales continues to buck having a British football team at the London Olympics.

On Thursday, the head of the Football Association of Wales, Jonathon Ford again rejected the idea of a Team GB in football for the 2012 Games.

Questions came up when the Football Association, England’s football governing body, proposed a British football tournament in 2013. The FA said the tournament was floated with the hopes of bringing the Home Nations together for a Team GB in the Olympics.

"The idea of a tournament in 2013 would be a celebratory tournament to mark the FA’s 150th anniversary which is a fantastic one," Ford was quoted by Welsh media.

"But in termsof the Olympics, our position has not changed."

Wales wants its own football team in London, even though Wales has not qualified for a major tournament in more than 50 years.

Ford added the WFA is "unlikely" to change its stance.

Northern Ireland and Scotland, the other Home Nations, have expressed reservations about a unified Team GB for the Olympics. While they lack their own national Olympic committees, they have their own national football bodies. They fear they may lose that status in FIFA if they compete as a British team.

FA officials made it clear they would continue talks to have a Team GB at the Olympics.

SwissHouse

London Bridge will serve as Switzerland’s hospitality center for the 2012 Games.

The Swiss Embassy in London announced on Friday that Glaziers Hall, at the southern end of London Bridge, will be the nucleus of the "House of Switzerland".Also in use will be the neighboring Mug House pub and parts of Southwark Cathedral.

"The thematic focus of Switzerland’s presence in London will be the diverse Swiss culture and thriving economy," the embassy said in a statement.

"Partners and sponsors of the Swiss tourism and private industry will be able to use the innovative ability of Swiss institutions via the House of Switzerland to promote the country as a tourism and business location."

Media Watch

Prospective Labour Party parliamentary candidate Rushanara Ali says London’s East End is being overlooked for Olympic opportunities.

Writing for London’s The Telegraph, Brendan Gallagher says athletics and football can coexist in the Olympic Stadium following the Olympics.

Written by Ed Hula III.