IOC rejects Olympic security concerns

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND Responding to France’s sports minister raising security risks at the 2018 Olympics in South Korea, the International Olympic Committee has tried to calm concern about the PyeongChang Games in February.

The IOC said Friday it has been in close contact with the UN and “the heads of government concerned.”

In Tianjin last month, IOC president Thomas Bach met with China president Xi Jinping, and at the UN in New York this week with South Korea president Moon Jae-in.

“In none of the discussions, has anybody expressed any doubt about the Olympic Winter Games 2018,” the IOC said in a statement.

Tensions fuelled by North Korea’s missile testing rose this week after U.S. president Donald Trump used his UN General Assembly speech to threaten its destruction. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un described Trump as “deranged.”

France’s sports minister, Laura Flessel, suggested Thursday the national team could stay home if its security could not be assured.

“Athletes’ safety and security are of course a primary concern for the IOC,” the Olympic body said.

Olympic officials in winter sports hubs like Canada, Austria, Denmark and Sweden said it was too early to doubt their athletes’ participation. The Games open Feb. 9.

“The safety of our entire Canadian Olympic Team is always our main priority, no matter where the Games are held,” the Canadian Olympic Committee said in a statement. “We work with the Government of Canada, the host country, the RCMP and other security agencies to ensure the safest and most secure environment possible for Canadians. The COC and the RCMP have representatives in South Korea and have routinely done site visits to the country.”

Canada doesn’t have any travel advisories in place for South Korea.