Security at the Athens Olympics

Between January 2002 – September 2004 assistance was given to the Greek Authorities with their preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games. The role involved pulling together the Greek emergency services and military to work in conjunction with each other as part of the overall multi-agency response to any type of major incident. A three-man team was responsible for constructing and delivering CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) tabletop exercises and seminars to the Greek authorities, and assisting them in their preparedness to meet this type of threat.

From January to June 2004 a series of tabletop exercises and planning seminars were run for the British assets, across all agencies involved in the security operation surrounding the Games. In addition, a series of 'live' counter terrorist exercises were held in country. A multi national, multi-agency response to any type of incident involving British Nationals in Greece was constructed .

From June to Sept 2004 a multi-agency team was based within the British Embassy in Athens, reporting to the British Ambassador. They worked with all the British interests involved with the Games, including some of the main sponsors and were responsible for ensuring a ‘joined up’ approach to any problems which may have arisen, including to the cruise ship the Queen Mary II and the Olympic Team. They assisted in planning the security surrounding the Olympic team’s accommodation in a variety of diverse venues in and around Athens. They advised on the plans for the evacuation of the team, officials and dignitaries from all Olympic venues; this proved a difficult task, complicated by operating in a foreign country. They worked with the Greek authorities ensuring the necessary responses and procedures were in place for all eventualities and advised on the evacuation plans for the various Olympic venues.

In 2004 AA was seconded to Team GB, the Great Britain Olympic Team, as the Team Security Manger/Advisor. He was responsible for all security issues surrounding the team, including all the training venues, Cyprus, Barcelona and other locations worldwide. AA also worked closely with team officials to look after the day-to-day security of team members as they arrived at the Games, competed and left to return home; this included the families of competitors who were in country. In addition, AA was part of the team that advised on all security matters at the Olympic village.