SHAFAQNA (Shia News Association)— Over the next few days London will see a steady increase in military deployments ahead of the start of the Games.
All this is designed as a show of force to deter anyone planning to disrupt the Olympics and to reassure athletes, officials and spectators that London is safe.
But the last-minute decision to call up another 3,500 members of the armed forces to fill a hole left by London 2012's private security contractor G4S sends another message to the world - one of panic planning and disorganisation.
The Government and organisers will say this is all part of the fine tuning that happens in the last few days before the Games.
However, they have had seven years to scope security plans for the venues.
It was only in December that organisers had to review the number of security staff at venues - from 10,000 to 23,500, leading to a £271m increase in costs to £571m.
That review saw the number of military involved jump to 13,500. Now it has gone up again because G4S have not been able to train enough staff in time.
Organisers had to review the number of security staff at venues back in December. Photo: Getty
Huge numbers of recruits failed to show up for interview or training, leading to last-minute attempts to plug the gaps. Many who did show up were simply not up to the task.
So why did G4S leave it so late to train the security staff? And if they knew they couldn't cope with the Government's demands, why didn't they flag it up before?
While this is an embarrassment so close to the Games, it is worth pointing out that the overall number of security staff has not changed. Many people may feel reassured that the military are performing these tasks rather than private officers.
But the heavy military presence at the Olympic Park will likely divide opinion. Some will feel safer, others may find it intimidating. Seb Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee, has said countless times he doesn't want the Olympics to be a security event with a bit of sport attached. The military presence will change that perception.
A document has been doing the rounds in Whitehall assessing London's readiness for the Games. Unsurprisingly it concludes London is ready - but there are concerns.
Transport remains the big question. Yesterday it took almost an hour to make the one-mile journey from Fleet Street to Trafalgar Square.
The organising committee and Transport for London keep saying they are sure the city will cope but the big danger is what happens if there is a signal failure or a problem with a major road? This will be exacerbated when the Olympic Route Network - which is supposed to ensure athletes get to their events on time - comes into force just before the Games.
There are also worries about how Britain's border controls will hold up once thousands of people start arriving.
This Sunday is a crucial test as it is the first day when all immigration desks will be fully staffed in anticipation of the rush.
With the world's media arriving looking for a story, the smallest things before an Olympics can suddenly take on huge significance.
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Today is the deadline for bidders for the Olympic Stadium. If you feel like you've read that line before, it's because you have - at least twice.
This is the third attempt to shoehorn West Ham United into the stadium after the Games. The first was scrapped after legal challenges from Tottenham, the second after opposition from Leyton Orient.
Daniel Moylan is the new man in charge of the body overseeing the future vision for the Olympic Park and its venues. He is a key ally of London Mayor Boris Johnson and a former deputy chair of Transport for London. He is confident the renamed London Legacy Development Corporation will get it right this time.
But as the only bidder in town, West Ham are trying to drive the hardest possible bargain. They may also demand more costly changes to the stadium scope - with a full roof and retractable seating adding an extra £50m to the conversion costs, taking the total to around £150m.
The challenge for Moylan is to finally clinch a deal with West Ham - the only viable long-term tenant - at the same time ensuring the taxpayer doesn't end up subsidising a wealthy Premier League football club.—www.shafaqna.com/english
