Tuesday, April 16, 2013

London Security to be Reviewed But Marathon Goes Ahead

 

London Security to be Reviewed But Marathon Goes Ahead

ESPN staff
http://www.espn.co.uk/athletics/sport/story/202633.html#

April 15, 2013

Security for Sunday's London Marathon will be reviewed in the aftermath of the bomb blasts at the Boston Marathon, but race organisers are insisting the event will still go ahead.

At least three people were killed and more than 100 injured by the blasts near the finish of Monday's event. There were 375 British subjects entered in the race but none are believed to have been hurt.

 

The London Marathon's chief executive Nick Bitel insisted there was "absolutely no chance" that Sunday's race would be cancelled. Around 36,000 runners are expected to take part including double Olympic champion Mo Farah.

 

"The London Marathon has detailed security plans which are developed in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police," Bitel said. "They take account of many contingencies, including this type of threat and incident, but one can't be complacent and when it has happened, you need to then review those plans you have in place to see what else may be necessary. That is certainly what we are going to be doing in the forthcoming hours and days."

 

The Metropolitan Police's chief superintendent Julia Pendry, the commander in charge of policing the London Marathon, said: "A security plan is in place. We will be reviewing our security arrangements in partnership with London Marathon."

 

The London Marathon, which is watched by up to a million spectators, starts on Blackheath and finishes near Buckingham Palace, taking in many of the capital's iconic landmarks on the way.

 

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