China: Britain will provide up to 13,500 troops to protect next summer's London Olympics - more than it has in Afghanistan - after organizers said international uncertainty meant security for the event needed to be doubled. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the military support would provide back-up for police and private staff already hired to secure the perimeters of the Olympic and 
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Paralympic venues in what will be Britain's largest peace time security operation. The military presence will also include special forces and specialist bomb disposal units as well as a 1,000-strong contingency force "in the event of an Olympics-related civil emergency". The Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, will be protected by missiles against airbone attack, in line with measures taken by Athens in 2004. "Next year's 
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Olympic and Paralympic Games are once-in-a-generation events for the UK," Hammond said in a statement. "We want them to be secure, so that all those competing and attending can enjoy the games for the celebration of sporting achievement and cultural celebration that it is."
Increased concern about international security had led to an increase in the budget for venue security to 553 million pounds ($859 million) from the previous estimate of 282 million pounds ($438 million), Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said earlier this month. Another 475 million pounds ($738 million) is being spent on policing and other security measures outside stadiums, with 12,000 officers on duty at peak times.Source:UK to provide 13,500 troops to guard Olympics: China.org.cn
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Olympic and Paralympic Games are once-in-a-generation events for the UK," Hammond said in a statement. "We want them to be secure, so that all those competing and attending can enjoy the games for the celebration of sporting achievement and cultural celebration that it is."
Increased concern about international security had led to an increase in the budget for venue security to 553 million pounds ($859 million) from the previous estimate of 282 million pounds ($438 million), Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said earlier this month. Another 475 million pounds ($738 million) is being spent on policing and other security measures outside stadiums, with 12,000 officers on duty at peak times.Source:UK to provide 13,500 troops to guard Olympics: China.org.cn