The deadly bomb attacks at the Boston Marathon raised concern Tuesday about safety at major sports events around the world, including the Olympics and World Cup.
Organizers of the London Marathon, scheduled to be run Sunday, said they were reviewing security for a race that is expected to attract 30,000 participants and half a million spectators.
Elsewhere, sporting event organizers were taking precarious and re-addressing security procedures. Some examples:
— The NFL plans to take what investigators learn in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing and incorporate it into its security plans for the cold-weather Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium. The league said it has raised its security levels for all its games and events since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. For the past two years, it been working closely with federal, state and municipal agencies developing a comprehensive security plan for the Super Bowl, which will be played in the shadow of New York City.
— The Red Sox postponed an open house for fans at Fenway Park that was scheduled for today. “We all personally feel the grief of the horrifying tragedy that struck our community on Patriots’ Day,” said Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino. The team said the open house would be rescheduled.
— Kansas Speedway is increasing the police presence for this weekend’s NASCAR race. Track president Pat Warren said fans attending the Truck Series race on Saturday and the Sprint Cup race on Sunday should budget more time for when they’re entering the facility. The speedway doesn’t plan to change its policy of allowing coolers into the track.
— Organizers of the Grand Prix of Long Beach Indy Car race said they will be working in conjunction with the Long Beach police department, fire department, city and other agencies in taking appropriate measures to provide for the safety of fans, workers and participants at the race Sunday.
— Penn State officials announced they are ramping up security throughout blue-white weekend on the State College, Pa. campus. Fans will not be allowed to bring any bags, backpacks or purses into Beaver Stadium for Saturday’s intra-squad spring football game.
