NBC News has obtained a classified report detailing the United States’ intelligence efforts for the 2016 Rio Games. Included in the report is the deployment of more than 1,000 spies tasked with protecting the contingent of athletes and staff as well as overall security for the Olympic Games. All 17 agencies that make up the United States Intelligence Community will have an active role. According to a senior intelligence official that spoke to NBC, the cooperation between host country and the U.S. has been easy.
U.S. intelligence cooperation with Brazil has been excellent since 9/11. We consider the Brazilians to be well-prepared and highly professional.
As of right now intelligence officials state that there are no known threats on the Games. Given the state of unrest in the world at large it is no surprise that the U.S. is engaging very earnestly in security. As an athlete, I would feel pretty safe at these Olympics. My concern would be the shoddy lodging situation in the athlete’s village.
