Russia’s security chief warns terrorists intend to disrupt preparations for Sochi Olympics

Russian security chief warns of Sochi threat

MOSCOW — A Russian state news agency is quoting the country’s security chief as saying terrorists intend to disrupt preparations for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Itar-Tass quotes Alexander Bortnikov, head of the Federal Security Service, as saying Thursday the Winter Games face the same kinds of threats that led to the cancellation of the 2008 Paris-Dakar motor rally.

Referring to the rally, Bortnikov was quoted as saying “we can clearly hear the intentions of various gang leaders to stage a similar scenario in the run-up to the Winter Olympics in 2014.”

The Black Sea resort of Sochi is relatively close to Russia’s restive North Caucasus region. Government officials have given firm security guarantees to the International Olympic Committee.