USOC: It’s a go for Olympics in South Korea

Officials address safety after rhetoric

The U.S. Olympic Committee is moving ahead with preparations for the Pyeongchang Olympics in February after receiving assurances about safety on the Korean peninsula as rhetoric escalates between the U.S. and North Korea.

Speaking at the USOC media summit Monday, CEO Scott Blackmun said the group has been in contact with the State Department and law enforcement.

“Should the unthinkable happen and there’s conflicts between nations, that’s not an issue for the U.S. Olympic Committee to get involved in,” he said. “That becomes an issue for the IOC and our nations to make decisions on, so we’re preparing as if we’re going to go there. The USOC will go. We understand individual athletes may have questions and concerns, but our job (is to give them) an opportunity to go and are well supported by us while we’re there.”

Asked if the USOC had heard concerns from athletes, Blackmun said, “not a single one.”