ESPN's Jack Edwards reported, in the wake of questions on
the crash of TWA Flight 800, the only observable change in
security measures Thursday at Atlanta's Hartsfield Int'l Airport
yesterday was an increase in police foot patrols. IOC Dir
General Francois Carrard: "There is absolutely no indication
whatsoever of any relationship between this awful tragedy and the
Olympic Games, and as far as we are concerned we have been told
that a number of measures have been decided a bit more stringent
at airports and controlling air traffic." As for downtown
Atlanta, Edwards noted "every other corner has a check-point,"
adding, "The closer the Games, the tighter the grip." U.S.
swimmer Janet Evans said the security conditions remind her of
Seoul, where bags were x-rayed upon entering venues. Dream
Teamer David Robinson: "We feel pretty secure. ... If people get
past what they have around us now, then something's meant to
happen to us" (ESPN, 7/18).
CALM PREVAILS: Hartsfield security remains at Level 3, but
that could be raised to the top level depending on the
preliminary findings of the FBI's TWA probe (Gene Wojciechowski,
ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/19). ACOG CEO Billy Payne, on the TWA crash:
"Within a relatively short term we will have some idea if there
is any remote connection. Hopefully not, but until then, we'll
just wait" (Jason Davis TAMPA TRIBUNE, 7/19). In Philadelphia,
Sam Donnellon notes, "Panic is second only to violence or an
actual bombing as a threat to the Games" (PHILA. DAILY NEWS,
7/19).
MAKING HEADLINES: The PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: "Flight 800's
shock waves reach the Olympic Village" (PHILA INQUIRER, 7/19).
N.Y. TIMES: "As Summer Games Open, Fears Heighten" (N.Y. TIMES,
7/19). FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM: "Fear shadows Olympics: Some
worry about terrorism after TWA crash" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM,
7/19). TAMPA TRIBUNE: "TWA blast won't affect security at
Olympics" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 7/19). WASHINGTON POST: "In Atlanta,
Security Blanket Spreads Out" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/19).
