Sochi, Russia: Australian competitors at the Winter Olympics face travel restrictions in and around Sochi, it was revealed on Sunday by team chiefs wary of the tense security situation in Russia.
Australia is sending a record 60 athletes to the Games, which run from February 7-23, but they will be limited to where they can travel during the event.
Australian Olympic team chef de mission Ian Chesterman said the measures were based on his government’s warning for the Russia region.
“We know that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade [DFAT] advice is to exercise a high degree of caution in Russia generally and in Sochi as well,” said Chesterman in AOC statement.
“We think it is good practice to define what a degree of caution requires for our Olympic team.”
Chesterman said that athletes will be limited to locations and attractions within the security perimeters of the Olympic Park as well as the villages of Krasnaya Polyana, Esto-Sadok and Rosa Khutor. Team members are banned from travelling to downtown Sochi.
Security fears for the Games have been exacerbated by two suicide bombings in the southern city of Volgograd last month — Russia’s deadliest in three years — that killed 34 people.
Despite the restrictions, Chesterman believes the Australians already in Sochi are at ease.
“We feel very comfortable coming here, everybody here has already experienced a level of security is in place — it’s intense, but not heavy-handed,” he added.
“We know the International Olympic Committee has great confidence in the procedures and safety processes that have been put in place for these Games and we share that confidence.
“But we wanted to put some minor, but important, restrictions on our athlete movement during this period of time.”
