This year's XXII Winter Olympics in Sochi has so far been plagued with security concerns and travel jitters as Russia tries to ease fears for those wanting to travel to the country, stating that Sochi and the surrounding areas where the Olympic Games will be held are "as safe as the rest of Russia."
Amid new warnings of possible terrorist attacks ahead of next week's opening ceremony, American travelers are now thinking twice about their purchased plane tickets to Russia to help cheer Team USA to Olympic victory.
Despite these concerns, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas is encouraging American tourists to move forward with their plans to attend the Winter Olympic games but also warns them to be cautious. McCaul appeared Sunday's "Face the Nation," saying: "I would say we should not scare people from attending the Olympics. It's a time-honored tradition. If we do not support our team and show up, I think the terrorists are winning and I think that's what they're trying to do here. Having said that, I would say that the security threat to the Olympics, this particular Olympics is the greatest I've ever seen."
Even with Russia's continued effort to help calm down fears about possible terrorist strikes, the United States currently has a plan for evacuating Americans in case of an attack, by moving two warships into the Black Sea. According to reports, if ordered, helicopters would be launched from there to Sochi to help evacuate American citizens.
In addition, American athletes attending the games have been advised not to wear their Olympic uniforms outside the Russian security cordon and Olympic Village surrounding the Games.
This is the first time the Russian Federation will be hosting the Olympic Winter Games, with the Former Soviet Union hosting the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow nearly three decades ago.
The 2014 Olympic Games kicks off with the pre-opening show on Friday, February 7.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
