“This is a despicable attack on innocent people and the entire Olympic Movement joins me in utterly condemning this cowardly act. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims.”
“I have personally written to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to express our condolences to the Russian people and our confidence in the Russian authorities to deliver safe and secure Games in Sochi. I am certain that everything will be done to ensure the security of the athletes and all the participants of the Olympic Games.”
“Sadly terrorism is a global disease but it must never be allowed to triumph. The Olympic Games are about bringing people from all backgrounds and beliefs together to overcome our differences in a peaceful way. The many declarations of support and solidarity from the international community make me confident that this message of tolerance will also be delivered by the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.”
Statement from the AOC President John Coates
“The Australian Olympic Commitee joins IOC President Thomas Bach in condemning these cowardly acts and in expressing our condolences to the Russian people… Like President Bach, the AOC is certain that everything will be done to ensure the security of the athletes and all of the participants of the Olympic Games.”
“We share Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Julie Bishop’s concerns for the safety and welfare of our athletes and their families and spectators. We will continue to work closely with DFAT whose representatives have attended our Sochi planning meetings. We will impress on our athletes DFAT’s advice that they exercise a high degree of caution in Russia because of the threat of terrorist activity…”
This article originally appeared in The Sport Intern. The Sport Intern editor is Karl-Heinz Huba of Lorsch, Germany. He can be reached at ISMG@aol.com. The article is reprinted here with permission of Huba.