107th IOC Session - LA84 Foundation

Security
The police presence
helped to keep the streets
safe.
280
Metal detectors were
used at entrances to
competition venues.
The task of NAOC’s Security section was to
guarantee the safety of athletes and spectators,
and to ensure a safe environment for all those
involved in the Games. Implementing strict and
effective security, while at the same time maintaining
a relaxed and warm atmosphere at the
Games, was one of the major challenges successfully
surmounted.
Overview of Games Security
The Nagano Games were held in the wake
of a series of natural disasters and security
scares both in Japan and overseas, such as the
Kobe earthquake, the sarin gas subway attack in
Tokyo, and the bomb attack in Centennial Park
during the Atlanta Games. In light of these incidents,
security was a top priority for the IOC,
NOCs, and Sponsors, and security measures for
the Nagano Games were subjected to close
scrutiny both at home and overseas.
NAOC implemented autonomous security
measures, but also worked in close cooperation
with the police department. Games-related security
such as checks at the entrance to venues was
handled mostly by NAOC operations personnel;
the police were responsible for general security
both inside and outside venues, investigating
suspicious objects, guarding VIPs, and implementing
anti-terrorism measures.
Close contact was maintained at all times
with the Nagano Prefectural Police, national police
organizations, and the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. The Japanese government enforced
strict immigration checks, and the police and related
organizations introduced measures to combat
terrorism and deal with possible requests for
asylum. This resulted in prompt and effective reaction
to incidents such as bomb scares, threatening
mail sent to NOCs, and suspicious parcels
found at NAOC HQ, and helped ensure that
such incidents had no effect on Games operations.
During the 191-day implementation period
of NAOC’s security plan (Sept. 1, 1997 to
March 10, 1998), a cumulative total of 49,629
shifts were worked by NAOC staff, volunteers
and private security company employees at 32
venues.