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Olympic officials express sorrow at bombing
Athletes want games to go on
July 27, 1996
Web posted at: 1 p.m. EDT
ATLANTA (CNN) - International and Atlanta Olympics officials expressed deep sorrow Saturday morning to the families of the casualties of the early morning explosion at Centennial Olympic Park.
"We express our deep heartfelt sorrow at the loss of life," said A.D. Frazier, the chief operating officer for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG).
Officials said at a press conference that part of the park would be reopened shortly.
Francois Carrard, director general of the International Olympic Committee, said the bombing has not scared athletes into abandoning their quest for gold.
"I have not heard of any athletes expressing a desire to
leave," said Carrard. "We were never close to canceling
the events. The Games will proceed." (221K AIFF or WAV sound)
Carrard and other Olympic officials continued to contrast the
security present at the sporting venues and at the park, an
open-air, uncontrolled facility where crowds could come in
and out with any inspection. Frazier elaborated on the purpose of the park. (170K AIFF or WAV sound)
"The security at the venues and at the competition between the athletes.....we consider security to be excellent," the IOC director general said.
Officials said fans Saturday morning are continuing to stream into venue sites such as the Olympic Stadium and the Georgia Dome.
"The crowd, particularly, has been remarkable today especially considering the (rainy) weather," Frazier said. "The patrons are understanding."
He said IOC and ACOG officials made the decision to continue the Games shortly after the explosion. Olympic flags will fly at half-staff at venues, Frazier said, as will the Turkish flag in honor of the Turkish journalist who died of a heart attack after the explosion.
Related stories:
- Olympic Park Bombing - Sounds
- Olympic Park Bombing - Movies
- Olympic Park Bombing - Scenes
- 'Act of terrorism' shatters Olympic peace
- Who planted the bomb? - July 27, 1996
- Clinton pledges thorough effort to find Olympic park bomber - July 27, 1996
- Hospitals respond to emergency - July 27, 1996
- Despite explosion 'The games will go on' - July 27, 1996
- Olympic officials express sorrow at bombing - July 27, 1996
- Condolences, condemnation follow blast - July 27, 1996
Previous stories:
- Olympic security eyes home-grown terrorism - June 17, 1996
- Legacy of Munich: Atlanta mobilizes for terror-free Olympics - June 16, 1996
- In wake of Saudi bombing, Olympics officials say: 'We're ready' - June 29, 1996
Related sites:
- Centennial Olympic Park
- Official site of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games
- ACOG Press Briefing Concerning Explosion in Park
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- FBI testimony to Congress on the Olympics and terrorism
- The International Olympic Committee (IOC)
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