MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
London Marathon is on next Sunday: 36.000 runners including UK Olympic champion
Olympic gold Mo Farah one of the favourites to cross the winning line at the Mall The London Marathon will go ahead as planned in the British capital this Sunday despite the bomb attack on the Boston race which killed three people and wounded more than 100, police and officials said.
Sports Minister Hugh Roberston said he was confident of security arrangements for the London event and encouraged people to attend as a show of solidarity with the US city.
“In security terms, we are as confident as we possibly can be that we can deliver a safe and secure marathon,” Robertson said in an interview on the BBC and Sky TV.
The 42 km London Marathon will attract 36,000 runners, among them Britain's double Olympic champion Mo Farah, starting at Greenwich Park and winding through city landmarks before finishing at the Mall.
London Mayor Boris Johnson told reporters while on a visit to Dubai: “Obviously what happened in Boston was shocking and horrific and our thoughts are very much with the victims and their families.”
The Boston blasts detonated close to spectators standing behind roadside barriers. The two explosions were about 50 to 100 metres apart as runners crossed the finish line.
The incident evoked memories of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States although no one has claimed responsibility and a political motive has not yet been determined.
Robertson said the British police and military had great experience in guarding big events.
“The best way of dealing with this is to get out on the streets, is to show solidarity with the people in Boston, to celebrate a fantastic marathon and send out a very clear message to those responsible that we won't be cowed by this kind of behaviour,” he said.
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Read all commentsOur British police and armed services are only too familiar with mindless acts of cowardly terrorism. I'm sure they will do the fantastic job they have always done in protecting us.
Apr 18th, 2013 - 08:32 am 0What gets me is why, when these terrorist activities take place, they always target civilians. If the problem is with politicians or the armed forces, why not target them? I know events targeting them have happened in the past but they seem to be the exception. I'd add I'm in no way encouraging attacks on anyone.
Apr 18th, 2013 - 08:38 am 0@2
Apr 18th, 2013 - 08:59 am 0Unfortunately, when the terrorist bombs took place in Madrid, Spain pulled their troops out of Afghanistan, hailing a success for the terrorists. They know full well when they do the same in Britain they would never get the same reaction, we would also relentlessly hunt them down.
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