17:58, 4 February 2014

Austrian female athletes receive threats of abduction

The Austrian National Olympic Committee (NOC) has received a letter containing threats to abduct two Austrian female athletes, who go to compete at the Olympic Games in Sochi, Peter Mennel, the Secretary General of the NOC, has reported today.

According to his story, the letter contains threats addressed to the alpine skier Marlies Schild and skeleton racer Janina Flock.

The NOC has informed the Austrian criminal police about the letter.

Today, the Austrian News Agency APA has reported, citing Peter Mennel, that in Sochi the above athletes will be guarded by two fighters of the Austrian special unit for combating terrorism EKO Cobra.

Peter Mennel said that he had contacted Janina Flock. "She trusts the taken security measures and doesn't worry," the Russian BBC Service quotes Mr Mennel as saying.

On January 22, the NOCs of Germany, Italy and Slovenia stated that they had received emails with threats of terror acts against their athletes going to the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. According to the chairman of the NOC of Hungary Zsolt Borkaya, they also received a letter with threats.