Fear at bay as Games show friendly face
IN London four years ago, a bus was not allowed to enter any venue or return to the main media hub without being stopped, boarded by soldiers and swept for threats. This was done inside and out, with mirrors on poles placed underneath vehicles to make sure they had not been interfered with.
Nothing like the same security attends these Olympics.
Brazil is not being menaced by the terrorism threat that haunted the organisers of the London Games, and maybe that explains it.
There is airport-style security at the entrance to venues as well as the press centre, but often you are not asked to empty your work bag or pockets.
It depends on the interest of the volunteer in front of you, and, one suspects, the length of the queue behind you.
It doesn’t feel unsafe here, though.
Fears that lunatics would target the biggest gathering in the world this year have thankfully remained unrealised, so far. There are large numbers of soldiers and heavily armed police visible, but they are lovely, smiling and greeting everyone.
Most of the volunteers don’t speak English, most of us haven’t a word of Portuguese, but it all makes sense, eventually.
The volunteers are truly admirable, as they were in London.
In Beijing, they were everywhere but to the point that it was constricting. Here, they are not as plentiful but are a pleasure to deal with.
London was described as a triumph of enthusiasm over English reserve.
Friendliness seems instinctive in Rio.