SALT LAKE CITY - Stunned Olympic officials said yesterday that security for next year's winter Olympics will be completely re-evaluated in the wake of the terrorist attacks.
But they vowed that the Games will go on as planned five months from now.
A $US200 million plan to protect athletes and spectators was
no longer sufficient in the wake of the attacks, said Mitt Romney, president of the Salt Lake organising committee.
"I look for the Federal Government to revisit the public safety plans for the Games," he said.
"We will be fully engaged in that process and will make it our highest priority.
"The Games for me are a symbol of the human spirit and world peace. That symbol is needed more today than ever before."
Romney was in Washington DC, discussing security plans for the Games, when the terrorist attacks hit. He and his staff were evacuated to a private residence in Virginia.
The day before, Romney met the director of the FBI and members of Congress to review security plans and press for the final disbursement of $US12.7 million to government agencies for Olympic security.
Romney said that until yesterday's events, he had been satisfied with plans for Olympic security. Now, though, everything had changed.
- REUTERS
Full coverage: Terror in America
Pictures
Video
The fatal flights
Emergency telephone numbers for friends and family of victims
These numbers are valid for calls from within New Zealand, but may be overloaded at the moment.
United Airlines: 0168 1800 932 8555
American Airlines: 0168 1800 245 0999
NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade: 0800 872 111
US Embassy in Wellington (recorded info): 04 472 2068
Online database for friends and family
Air New Zealand flights affected
