Bombing in Atlanta Reverberates in Savannah

[USST Contents] [Comment] [USST Home] [Up] [Previous]

Bombing in Atlanta Reverberates in Savannah

SAVANNAH, GA (July 28, 1996)--Two days after a bomb explosion rocked Atlanta, Savannah Olympic Regatta organizers are going about business as usual. A closer look, however, reveals tighter security at the Olympic Village, where athletes live; the Olympic Marina, from where the event is staged; and the Day Marina, to where competitors are shuttled to rig their boats. Athletes observed a minute of silence yesterday in respect for those killed and injured, then worked to put competition first on their minds again.

"I learned about it in the morning after I woke up," said Soling skipper Jeff Madrigali (San Anselmo, Calif.). "It was a tragedy, but the spirit of the Olympic Games will go on." Most sailors believe the Savannah venue, 256 miles away from Atlanta's Centennial Park, is too off the beaten trail to attract a terrorist's attention.

"I've always said that we're very exposed to an attack," said the USA's boatwright Carl Eichenlaub (San Diego, Calif.), pointing to vast marshlands nearby the Day Marina's system of floating docks that serve at his outpost. "On the other hand, I imagine some gators might get in the way of someone sneaking out here."

The U.S. Secret Service, the military and the ATF, FBI, FAA and DEA are all part of the security setup in Savannah. Athletes are escorted by police or Coast Guard whenever they use official transportation. Bomb dogs are a common site on Olympic grounds and rumors abound of Navy SEALS brought in to "sanitize" the waterfronts.

"As far as safety, I'm not worried as an athlete," said 470 sailor Louise Van Voorhis (Webster, N.Y.), "but for families and friends it's an added concern."

Some of the USA's international counterparts in the yachting event did not flinch when asked if the Atlanta bomb made them nervous. The Israeli yachting team, long used to violence targeted at their people, has come to Savannah complete with its own security force.

Certainly the logistics of sailing the Olympic Regatta in Savannah, including dealing with security and enduring long hauls (by bus, boat and tow--up to six hours a day for the Stars) to and from the race courses, have made this the most demanding sailing competition in Olympic history.
(end)