In what proved to be a pair of chilling attacks that killed 31 people in Russia last month raised several alarming questions on the security and safety of athletes in the run-up to the winter Olympics that begin Feb. 6.
    No official records or suspects have been found, but multiple news agencies in Russia and terror experts believe Chechen Muslim rebel leader Doku Umarov, who calls himself the emir of the terror group Caucasus Emirate, has called on Muslims to attack civilians and to prevent the Olympics from occurring.
   A Jan. 11 report on BBC claims Russian authorities have arrested five members of a “banned international terrorist organization” in the North Caucasus region and have announced the deployment of more than 30,000 police and interior ministry troops to the region. The five suspects were in possession of “grenades, ammunition and a homemade explosive device packed with shrapnel,” the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said.
   L. Todd Wood, columnist at the New York Post said in an article on Jan. 4 security around the Olympic venue may be strong enough to prevent a terrorist incident inside the compound or the sport facilities themselves. But Putin cannot effectively secure all of the transportation networks leading to Sochi, hence the attacks on Volgograd, a major connecting hub into the Olympic area.
   In this turmoil that has been ongoing in Russia, many lawmakers, expert analysts and the general public in America fear for the security of our athletes in Russia. President  Barack Obama snubbed the anti-gay laws in Russia by naming an openly gay delegation and staying out of the opening ceremony himself.
   While this might be a great global discussion of a strong opposing decision by the White House, the important issue remains the security and safety of our athletes.  
  Congressman Mike Rogers (R-MI) on CNN’s state of the union said Russia has not given the U.S. the full story of the threat streams.
  “Who do we need to worry about? Are those groups — the terrorist groups who have had some succes  — are they still plotting? There’s a missing gap, and you never want that when you go into something I think as important as the Olympic games and the security of the athletes and the participants and those who come to watch the games,” Rogers said.
   In the meantime Putin has given the green light and hinted to the U.S. that the Obama administration can provide U.S. athletes with their own security if needed.
   “If anybody feels it is necessary for them to employ their own security measures, those are welcome as well, but it needs, of course, to be done in cooperation with the Olympic Games organizers and our special services,” Putin said.
   Leslie Baker, political science instructor who teaches foreign policy at Mississippi State University, said there would be severe repercussions if the U.S. doesn’t send the players, both domestically and internationally.
   “Since the threat is not directly against the U.S., we would look weak if we didn’t send the teams. At this point, the U.S. has no choice but to trust Russia’s plan for the steel wall protection they have promised,” Baker said.
   In a brief statement in the last week of 2013, State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said people should also be reminded that threats have been made against the Olympic Games and acts of terrorism, including bombings, continue to occur in Russia and she was unaware of any specific threats on Americans at the games.
    The games begin less than 20 days from now, for us, Americans sitting on the other side of the globe, the only hope is our athletes and delegation stay absolutely safe in Russia. Additionally, the Obama administration could substitute the photo-ops with an extra effort in offering what it takes to protect our professionals.