Nuclear Security Measures Set For Pan American Games

The International Atomic Energy Agency assisted Brazilian authorities in preparing safeguards against nuclear and radiological attacks at the 15th Pan American Games opening today in Rio de Janeiro, the U.N. nuclear watchdog announced (see GSN, June 21).

The agency provided equipment and training for detecting radiation-related crimes, along with advice on means for securing dangerous material, according to a press release.  It also provided Brazilian authorities with leads on potential illicit trafficking of radioactive materials in the region and helped to develop coordinated responses to an attempted attack.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to watch 6,000 athletes from the Americas compete through July 29, according to the IAEA release.

“The IAEA has been hard at work for over 50 years in radiation safety and security,” said Anita Nilsson, the agency’s nuclear security director, in the release.  “We are now further developing these skills as they become increasingly relevant to large-scale public events like the Pan American Games” (International Atomic Energy Agency release, July 12).

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