The U.S. government is advising American sports fans travelling to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics to watch out for al-Qaeda and other extremists, especially on transit and in restaurants, churches and other areas outside official venues.

"Al-Qaeda's demonstrated capability to carry out sophisticated attacks against sizable structures - such as ships, large office buildings, embassies and hotels - makes it one of the greatest potential threats to the Olympics," the U.S. State Department said in a fact sheet on the Games posted on its website.

No specific credible threats have been identified, the U.S. government said. However, Americans planning to attend Olympic events or participate in large-scale public gatherings during the Winter Games should use caution and be alert to their surroundings, the advisory said.

Americans are advised to be especially alert when outside Olympic venues. "As security increases in and around Olympic venues, terrorists could shift their focus to more unprotected Olympic venues, open spaces, hotels, railway and other transportation systems, churches, restaurants and other sites not associated with the Olympics."

Earlier this week, Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan told reporters the federal government has obtained "two or three" new intelligence tips concerning serious threats since a failed Dec. 25 attack on a flight to Detroit. A Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, allegedly tried to detonate explosive chemicals hidden in his underwear.

A spokesman for the U.S. Consulate General in Vancouver said the U.S. State Department advisory was posted within the past six weeks, but could not immediately confirm the date.

The U.S. State Department has also advised "a high level of vigilance" in what it calls a worldwide caution on the threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans. Current information suggests al-Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, include Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, the State Department said. The worldwide caution, also posted on the website, does not mention Canada.

Constable Mandy Edwards of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit said Olympic security forces are ready to face whatever incidents occur during the Winter Games. "We have planned and exercised for events that are plausible and possible," she said yesterday.

Phillip Chicola, the U.S. consul general in Vancouver, said he was not "highly concerned" about security at the Olympics. "We never know what al-Qaeda may do, but we think the [Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit] led by the RCMP have a very thorough grasp of what is going on and a very good system and are taking all reasonable precautions to deal with any possible effort by terrorists," he said.

The U.S. government has changed procedures at the Vancouver airport in recent weeks, but the changes were not related to the Olympics, he added.
The consulate also plans to double staff in B.C. during the busiest three or four days. U.S. pre-clearance staff at the Vancouver airport will increase up to 150, from the usual level of 80, to handle the anticipated increase in cross-border traffic. Overall, the U.S. consulate at peak times will have 200 more people helping out its regular contingency of 160 employees in B.C.

Mr. Chicola said planners do not know how many Americans will come to Vancouver. Four million Americans live within a day's drive of the Games, he said, referring to Seattle, Wash., and Portland, Ore. Theoretically, a sports fan could wake up in Portland decide to head up to Vancouver and try to get a ticket for an event that evening, he said.

"Pick a number between one and a million," he said, adding that the crowd will likely be in the range of 150,000 to 200,000. The consulate has "a fairly robust contingency" to support U.S. citizens who might require assistance with medical, passport or other issues, he said.

The consulate staff will also facilitate arrangements for the U.S. Olympic team, including liaising with Canadian authorities on security. The U.S. Olympic contingent, which includes about 170 athletes, family members and Olympic officials, will be among the largest at the Games, he said.

In addition to terrorism, the U.S. advisory also urges fans to watch out for domestic protest groups, while expressing full confidence in Canadian authorities to manage the events.

The protesters "may attempt to disrupt the Olympics through demonstrations or other activities," the U.S. state department advisory said.

"While the Canadian security services are highly skilled at protecting large events and controlling demonstrations, even peaceful events can turn violent, and Americans are therefore advised to avoid any areas of public protest," the fans have been told.