According to Russian media reports, an Islamic militant group that has claimed responsibility for suicide bombings that killed 34 people last month is threatening similar attacks in Sochi.
Security officials in the United States are closely monitoring the situation in Russia, saying visitors traveling there to watch the games need to be extra vigilant.
A month after back-to-back suicide bombings at a bus and train station, responsibility is being claimed by two men who posted video on a popular jihadi website. The men also made threats toward the Olympic Games.
"Terrorists are going to be looking at any soft targets and an area where they can make a statement," said Norman Cochran, a personal protection specialist who has provided security for dignitaries and VIPs for five different Olympic Games all over the world.
Cochran said while areas involving athletes will be the most secure, it's the secondary or soft target areas that present the most danger. Russian security forces will have to figure out how to make these areas safe.
"I believe that they are looking at every soft target possibility of security breaches at all associated with the Olympics," Cochran said.
According to U.S. officials, Russia has moved in more than 30,000 troops to provide security. Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised all those visiting will be safe.
Anyone planning on heading to Sochi to watch the games needs to plan accordingly, and for some, that may mean playing it safe by not going at all.
"I think they're going to have to evaluate exactly where they're going, where they're staying and look at all the security measures around where they are staying," Cochran said.
Putin backed up his claims of safety, pointing to the G-8 and G-20 summits as examples of his country's experience in providing security for international events.
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