Olympics: IOC head condemns 'despicable' Russia bombing
IOC head Thomas Bach condemned as "despicable" two bomb attacks in Russia that killed 31 people.
GENEVA (AFP) - IOC head Thomas Bach on Monday condemned as "despicable" two bomb attacks in Russia that killed 31 people, and said he was confident security would be solid at the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics.
"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," Bach, who is president of the International Olympic Committee, said in a statement.
The suicide attacks Sunday on a train station and Monday on a packed trolleybus, both in the southern city of Volgograd, have raised concerns about security at the Olympics in Russia's Black Sea resort.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, under pressure to show that his country can ensure the safety of tens of thousands of guests when the Winter Games open on February 7, has ordered security to be stepped up nationwide.
Bach, a German former athlete who was elected head of the Olympic governing body earlier this year, said he had written to Putin to express his condolences 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," he added.
Bach said that "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," he underlined.
"The many messages of support and solidarity from the international community make me confident that this message will also be delivered by the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi."
