TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ROME 000810

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

PASS TO TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA) AND
GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO); DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR
S/ES-O, S/CT, EUR, DS, AND CA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC CMGT ECON IT KOLY OVIP PTER PARALYMPIC GAMES
SUBJECT: TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT
(SITREP) # 6, 03/15/2006

REF: ROME 000806


1. (SBU) The following cable provides information on
security, public diplomacy, and consular activities in
Turin, Italy, for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games.


2. (SBU) The interagency Olympic Security Coordination
(OSC) Office can be contacted on a 24-hour basis at the
following numbers:

USG Joint Operations Center (JOC):39-011-55-99-793/794/564
(tel);011-39-011-55-99-590 (fax)

USG Threat Integration Center (TIC): 39-011-55-99-790/791
(tel);011-39-011-55-99-590 (fax).


3. (SBU) Attached is a key for USG acronyms used within
this cable: the inter-agency Olympic Security Coordination
Office (OSC); the USG inter-agency Olympic Security
Operations Center OSOC, including the 24/7 Joint Operations
Center (JOC) and Threat Integration Center (TIC); the
National Information Center for the Winter Olympics (CNIO),
which is a Government of Italy (GOI) hosted multinational
center; the Turin Olympics Organizing Committee (TOROC);
the International Olympics Committee (IOC); the US Olympic
Committee (USOC); European high-speed train project that
is controversial in mountain towns near Olympics sites
(TAV - Italian acronym); the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA); Public Affairs/Public Diplomacy
(PA/PD); Consular Affairs (CA); and the Italian
Ministry of Interior (MOI).




KEY POINTS
--------------


4. (U) The Paralympics continue without disturbances. U.S.
participation highlights: In her first Paralympic Winter
Games, Laurie Stephens earned two gold medals in as many
races. Following her gold-worthy downhill race on Sunday,
Stephens finished on top in March 14 Super-G. In the men's
field, Nick Catanzarite led the Americans with a fourth
place finish,.08 seconds away from the Bronze medal.Ten
physically disabled children from the U.S. are visiting as
part of the International Paralympic Academy.This is a
private organization supported by the U.S. Paralympic
Committee to encourage interest in Olympic-level sports
among disabled children; it is active in 30 states.An
American citizen who was charged with causing an
avalanche while skiing in the mountains near Turin in
February inquired if Consulate Milan could
influence the adjudication of his case. Consular officer
advised the Amcit that the Consulate does not interfere
with judicial proceedings, and that he should following
the advice of his attorney. According to the attorney,
no charges have been filed against his client as of
March 10, 2006. (See Consular Section, paragraph 13 .)



SECURITY ISSUES
--------------


5. (U) Terrorist Activity: No activity has been identified.

6. (SBU) Threats: There is no credible, specific information
suggesting that terrorists intend to target the Paralympics.

7. (U) Demonstrations: The OSC is not aware of any scheduled
protests or plans to disrupt the Paralympics. Italian
authorities remain on heightened alert throughout Turin to
ensure the safety of spectators, athletes, and VIPs attending
the Games.


8. (U) The USG interagency OSC, JOC, and TIC operates seven
days
a week from 0800 to 1700 hours. The hours of operation will
be
extended to include any night events.




PUBLIC AFFAIRS
--------------


9. (U) Italian media coverage of the Paralympics reported
that
Italy won its first gold medal March 14, in the Men's
Super-G.
The gold medalist reportedly only has 10 percent of his
eyesight.
Another Italian Paralympian, Silvia Parente won her second
bronze
medal in the Women's Super-G. Overall coverage in the Italian
media
remains light, focused on athletes.News coverage is dominated
by
the political debate between current PM Berlusconi and his
primary
rival, Romano Prodi.

10.(U) Milan-based center right daily Corriere de la Sera
carried
an article on the German Paralympic team. The article reports
that
their Paralympic athletes are demanding better pay to support
their
training.


11. (U) An article in the Turin-based centrist daily La
Stampa
discussed a proposal by Italy to have a sailing event for the
disabled at the America's Cup in 2008. The proposal is
supported
by a sailing club in Pinerolo (outside Turin) as well as NGO
SailAbility Italia, the city of Turin, and a sailing club
affiliated with Milan Polytechnic University.


12. (U) U.S. highlights from the Paralympics.


A. There are 56 US athletes competing in the Paralympics. The
state producing the most athletes is Colorado (12),followed
by
New York (8).


B. Youngest Paralympian is 16-year-old James Connelly from
Galloway,
N.J. Connelly plays on the U.S. sled hockey team. Six of the
U.S.
athletes are in high school.


C. Wheelchair curler Wes Smith from Glenburn, Maine at
65-years-old
is the oldest Paralympian.


D. A number of athletes are returning Paralympians.The most
appearances go to US Paralympian Candace Cable, a Nordic
skier from
Truckee, California.This is her fifth Winter Games and she
also
competed in five Summer Games. Runner-up goes to US
Paralympian,
Reed Robinson, an alpine skier from Incline Village, Nevada.
This is her sixth appearance at the Winter Games.


CONSULAR AFFAIRS
--------------


13. (U) Consular Section Turin had one action for Tuesday,
March 14.
An American citizen who is accused of causing an avalanche
while
skiing near Turin in February (previously reported in
Olympics sitrep)
has requested information whether Consulate Milan could
influence the
adjudication of his case. The American citizen was advised
that the
USG does not interfere with judicial proceedings,and that he
should
follow the advice of his attorney. The attorney has
reportedly
indicated that no formal charges have been filed against his
client
as of March 10.


14. (U) The Consular Office for the duration of the
Paralympics is
co-located with in the same building as the OSC and Olympics
Coordination Office in Turin. Four staff members and one
consular
officer comprise the Consular Section. The office is open
from
0900 to 1800 hours. The office provides emergency services
for
US citizens and has established an extensive network of
contacts
with hotels, hospitals, and local law enforcement officials.
Contact information:Telephone number: 011-5599-330.
FAX: 011-5599-551. Additional information may be found
at HTTP://Milan.USConsulate.Gov.






SPOGLI