Olympic World Reacts to Boston Marathon Attacks

(ATR) The IOC and United Nations have condemned the terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon that left three people dead and 17 people critically injured.

Two bombs exploded close to the finish line of the marathon Monday, killing the three spectators, wounding more than 140 others and leaving part of Boylston Street covered in blood. The FBI is probing the attacks. No one has yet claimed responsibility.

Organisers of the London Marathon promised to review security plans with the Metropolitan Police but "fully expect" the event to go ahead on schedule on Sunday.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said in a statement Tuesday that his thoughts "and those of all the Olympic Movement are with the victims, their friends and their families today".

He added: "A marathon is a special, almost magical event that unites different communities with one shared goal, and I am sure that this incident will serve to bring together all those who took part and all those who support such an event, with a common resolve."

Other leading figures in the Olympic Movement moved quickly to strongly condemn those responsible for the terror attack.

Wilfried Lemke, the UN secretary general’s sports adviser on sport for development and peace, extended his condolences to the families of the victims and sent his support to those injured in the bomb blasts.

"This appalling and cowardly attack is not only a violent act against innocent civilians, it is also an attack against the values of sport which can foster mutual understanding and friendship", said Lemke.

"It seems by attacking those participating in sport, the perpetrators also try to sabotage peaceful and joyful encounters and the hospitality of the hosts of international or local events and spread a message of despair and fear," Lemke said, calling on all involved in sport to "defy these despicable acts by continuing to actively harness the positive values of sport."

IOC vice president Thomas Bach issued a statement through the German Olympic Sports Confederation.

"We condemn this malicious attack on a peaceful sporting event. Enjoying sports and cheering on thoserunning the race has turned into grief and bewilderment," he said.

"In its thoughts, the German Olympic Sports Confederation is with the victims and their families as well as with the many volunteers and eyewitnesses who were part of this tragedy. We hope that the cowardly perpetrators will quickly be apprehended and punished with the full rigour of the law."

IAAF president Lamine Diack said track and field’s governing body was mourning the loss of those killed in Boston and offered his condolences and deepest sympathies to the families.

"This ghastly and cowardly attack strikes at the very core of the freest of human activities," he said.

"Whether as a fun runner or elite competitor, road running exemplifies the honestly of basic human movement, strength and resilience."

"We stand firm with the race organisers of the Boston Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Race and the oldest marathon in existence, the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races and the people of Boston at this time of tragedy and condemn this mindless attack."

He added: "What makes this incident so vile and its planning so incomprehensible is that marathons the world over are about selfless acts of human generosity."

"Millions of dollars are raised for charity every year by participants in road races. The events themselves are administered by thousands of volunteers who freely give their time to operate everything from baggage trucks to water stations to finish lines."

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid also issued a statement on the Boston attacks; the Tokyo Marathon is one of the biggest in the world, and a member of the World Marathon Majors.

Bid president and IOC member Tsunekazu Takeda said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic event that struck the Boston Marathon. We express our deepest condolences to everyone caught up in this senseless act. The entire Japanese sport community joins us in sending their prayers."

Reported by Mark Bisson

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