FRANCE: BASKETBALL - Security alerts in Europe cloud the NBA Europe Live match in Paris

Record ID: 189973

  • Title: FRANCE: BASKETBALL - Security alerts in Europe cloud the NBA Europe Live match in Paris
  • Date: 7th October 2010
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 6, 2010) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF BERCY STADIUM PEOPLE GOING TO THE STADIUM SECURITY CHECK SECURITY GUARD CHECKING TICKETS NEWS CONFERENCE WITH NBA COMMISSIONER DAVID STERN CAMERAS (SOUNDBITE) (English) NBA COMMISSIONER DAVID STERN SAYING: "It was a statement suggesting that we weren't concerned about security, and what I can say to you is that we are very concerned about security and that we have taken all steps that we think are necessary and prudent to assure the safety of the travelling parties that we have here in Europe, of which there are four: NBA staff, Timberwolves, Lakers and Knicks. But we did not go into lockdown mode. In other words we let them enjoy the cities under our watchful eyes." PHOTOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (English) NBA COMMISSIONER DAVID STERN SAYING: "The regular season games are for us a response to lots of questions about whether we would in fact ever stage regular season games in Europe. But for us, particularly in London, as a run up to the 2012 Olympics, which I should say parenthetically, since there are still more competitions to come, perhaps the French team will be included as a participant in the Olympics, as there are presently 11 French players in the NBA, so we are very appreciative of the connection." PHOTOGRAPHER STERN GETS UP AND WALKS AWAY
  • Embargoed: 22nd October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA787EG8SLYB0ZBCWLB55E50WQF
  • Story Text: As the New York Knicks face the Minnesota Timberwolves in a NBA pre-season game in Paris on Wednesday (October 6), security issues are proving as significant as the game itself.
    At the start of this week, both the U.S. and the U.K. told their citizens to be careful while visiting European countries because of terrorist threats, and while there was no visible heightened security at the Bercy stadium, NBA commissioner David Stern said they were very concerned.
    "What I can say to you is that we are very concerned about security and that we have taken all steps that we think are necessary and prudent to assure the safety of the travelling parties that we have here in Europe, of which there are four: NBA staff, Timberwolves, Lakers and Knicks. But we did not go into lockdown mode. In other words we let them enjoy the cities under our watchful eyes," Stern told reporters before the game.
    Indeed, both teams had been visiting sites in the city, with the New York Knicks posing infront of the Eiffel Tower, which was the victim of two false bomb alerts in as many weeks in September.
    The alert issued by the U.S. State Department on Sunday (october 3) warned American tourists of the potential for attacks by al-Qaeda and other militant groups in Europe. France is on a "high red alert", just a step under its maximum alert, scarlet red.
    A week ago security sources said a militant plot to stage coordinated attacks in Europe had been disrupted in its early stages by drone strikes in Pakistan but that it was not clear if the threat had been completely eliminated.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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