A question from logistics planners for Olympics: Have you thought about terrorists?

Filed in archive Point of view on August 7, 2007

Couple of weeks ago, I posted a piece about the logistics plans which are currently under development for LONDON 2012 event. It's obvious that that planning the ACTUAL movement of the material, people! and information for such huge event is of great importance but another aspect which should be taken into account is supply chain security.

After 9/11, the probability of terrorist attacks in cities such as New York and London has increased a lot so supply chain planners for such events should think about what to do if something goes wrong.

I got the idea and motivation to highlight this point after receiving a short memory from Eric Joiner of The Logistics Blawg. Back in 1996 he was handling the logistics of the British Olympic Team in Atlanta as an import manager for P&O Containers. According to him, the job was:

Very, very interesting, but also very political and with regular dealings with British Consulate and Olympic security. I had a map of the Olympic Village the Brit govt folks gave me to help us place containers with team gear. When the security folks found out I had it they went nuts! It had the location of every countries olympic team dormitory including the Israeli's etc. Just think how valuable that map would have been in a terrorist environment similar to today?

Eric is right. With current situation, risk mitigation issues should become part of the main body of logistics plans for all sport and social activities at the international level.