Russia: Austrian athletes get Sochi kidnap threats
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 February 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Austrian athletes get Sochi kidnap threats, 4 February 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/533144fc11.html [accessed 18 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 04, 2014
A person poses under a set of Olympic rings in front of the Olympic cauldron as preparations continue at the Olympic Park for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
The Austrian Olympic Committee says it has received an anonymous letter from Russia containing a threat that two Austrian female athletes will be abducted at the Sochi Olympics.
Committee head Peter Mennel said law enforcement has been informed about the threat.
He added that antiterrorism police will accompany Austrian team members to the Sochi games, which begin on February 7.
The athletes who received the threat were Alpine skier Marlies Schild and skeleton racer Janine Flock.
The Olympic committees of several European countries and the United States last month received letters making apparent terrorist threats over the Sochi games, but the International Olympic Committee later said there was no real threat in connection with the letters.
Islamist militants from Russia's North Caucasus, not far from Sochi, have threatened to attack the Olympics.
Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
