Shanghai Fears Terrorist Attacks During Olympics

by Heiky | June 20, 2008 at 08:28 am

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Friday, June 20, 2008
The Beijing Olympic Games are opening on August 8, and China believes that terrorism is their biggest threat. Recently, multiple measures and precautions have been taken to boost security. Today, state media reported that Olympic co-host city will inspect liquids at all public pools before allowing entry. Specially trained staff are required to conduct the checks at their gates.

All public swimming pools in Olympic co-host city Shanghai will check shampoos, body wash and other liquids before allowing entry to guard against explosions or other "terrorist attacks," state media reported Friday.

It seems like the security staff will need to exercise their olfactory senses.

Shanghai's public pools would be required to post specially trained staff at their gates to conduct the checks, the Shanghai Daily said, citing the city's Social Sports Administrative Center.

"Pool guests who bring these items must allow them to be opened and inspected. Security personnel will smell them to see whether they are safe or not," a separate report posted on the city's sport bureau's website said (www.shsports.gov.cn).

Some local pools does not seem to agree with the new rules.

Some 400 of the city's more than 450 pools had passed safety examinations, but some local pools were oblivious of the new rule, the report said.

"You can bring shampoo and body wash here, there's no need to accept an inspection," staff at one local pool were quoted as saying.

Authorities have intensified security measures at airports and railway and subway stations in Beijing, where most Olympic events will be held, at times to the derision of local residents.

Commuters carrying bottled drinks on Beijing's subway were bemused last month when station workers began demanding they take a swig to prove they were not holding banned liquids like petrol.