|
 Islamist militants have threatened attacks during the Games in
Sochi, which lies on the western edge of the mainly Muslim North
Caucasus.
"It is correct that we got a letter, it was in the mailbox
yesterday. We immediately contacted the federal criminal bureau,
which is investigating," Peter Mennel, secretary general of the
Austrian Olympic Committee, told the Austria Press Agency.
"I have already spoken to Ms Flock. Janine is sitting here with me
on the plane. She is not concerned and is placing her trust in our
protection," he was quoted as saying from a charter flight on the
way to Sochi with several athletes.
He was confirming a report by the Krone paper that a letter,
apparently from Russia, had arrived with the threat of abducting
Schild — a former world champion and the all-time leader in World
Cup slalom victories — and European champion Flock.
In a statement, the Olympic committee said it had received an
anonymous letter targeting members of the team and had passed it on
to the government. "At the moment we don't assume an acute threat,"
it added.
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Islamist militants have threatened attacks during the Games in
Sochi.
The Olympic Committees of the United States and several European
countries received letters in Russian last month making a "terrorist
threat" before the Games, but Olympic chiefs said they posed no
danger.
Two Austrian special police officers were in Sochi to oversee the
athletes if they leave the Olympic village, APA said.
(Reporting by Michael Shields and Angelika Gruber; editing by Mitch
Phillips.)
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