Interpol to bolster security at Brazil Olympic Games

 International police organization Interpol will reinforce security at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to an agreement it reached Wednesday with the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee, both agencies said.

Interpol will help back up Brazil's security forces mainly through its database, which contains information on stolen or lost vehicles, DNA samples and wanted criminals, among other things.

The organizing committee considers Interpol's help crucial given the magnitude of the event and the arrival of thousands of people of different nationalities.

"The agreement calls for the support of the intelligence services in the fight against any action that could affect the integrity of sports," the director of security for the event, Luiz Fernando Correa, said.

"The agreement, even though it is three years before the event, will begin to be put into effect for the trial events," he added.

The agreement also calls for Interpol to aid Brazil combat criminal activity linked to major sporting events, by training personnel and collaborating in the fight against illegal games, forgery and contraband goods.

Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble affirmed that protecting large-scale sporting events that draw millions of visitors "is an immense challenge for any country and Interpol is ready and willing to cooperate."


"The agreement between Interpol and the Rio 2016 Committee is a fundamental step towards providing the most extensive support possible to law enforcement for the sporting event," he said.