Games With Bombs

In a bid to test the Olympic Park security leading up to the 2012 Games, undercover UK police tried to smuggle a fake bomb onto the site – and succeeded.

Apparently, there’s no cause for alarm as the Olympic Delivery Authority has assured the public that “testing is standard practice” in all major security operations.

“Such tests have a key role in developing our capability to ensure that London 2012 is safe and secure and that we are best prepared to detect potential threats before and during the Games,” the ODA said in a statement. “Members of the public with tickets should be reassured that such exercises are being staged to ensure their safety is our number one priority.”

The ODA wouldn’t say if the test resulted in police managing to get what could have been a bomb onto the Olympic Park.

The exercise was on the same day the UK government held its cabinet meeting on the site, celebrating the fact it was 200 days before the Olympics begin.

“This is the perfect time for the cabinet to come together and ensure we are doing absolutely everything we can to make the most of this unique opportunity to showcase all the great things the U.K. has to offer to the rest of the world,” said Prime Minister David Cameron.

The terror threat is the biggest security worry for the London Olympics, which take place July 27 to Aug. 12.

Security has been a key issue of the games since an attack at the 1972 Olympics in Munich killed 11 Israeli athletes and coaches.

London itself has not been immune from terror attacks. In 2005, four suicide bombers killed 52 commuters when they targeted the city’s transport network.

The Olympic authorities announced they have signed contracts specifying the post-Olympics use of six of eight of the permanent venues, including those used for swimming and handball as well as the ArcelorMittal Orbit observation tower.

The future use of the Olympic Stadium is still in the balance, with both AEG and Live Nation believed to be among those putting in bids to run live music shows at the stadium.