LONDON -- The chief organizer of the Sochi Olympics says the Russian city is the "most secure venue on the planet" and promises the tight security measures will not detract from the atmosphere of the games.
Russia is mounting a massive security operation for the Olympics, deploying more than 50,000 police and soldiers amid threats of attacks from Muslim insurgents from the Caucasus region.
Dmitry Chernyshenko, head of the local organizing committee, said Wednesday Sochi will deliver "the most security friendly games" for athletes and spectators.
He says "the Olympics is a global event and the security is also a global multi-national event and state authorities are doing their utmost" to deliver safe games.
Speaking nine days before the opening ceremony, Chernyshenko says "history will be made" with Russia's first Winter Olympics.
