Athens 2004 / Israeli team gets extra Olympic security

ATHENS - The Israeli Olympic team will be the only squad to receive additional security with the Olympic village, police said yesterday, rejecting claims that U.S. athletes will also be under increased protection.

Authorities have set up an additional metal fence around the apartments of the Israeli team as a record 202 Olympic teams started arriving prior to the Games, which will take place August 13-29.

"It is something that has been done since the 1972 Munich Games, and it was requested by the Israelis themselves," a police official said.

The official said that apart from the fence, no other security measures were added for the team. No other team, including the U.S. squad, had requested additional safety measures within the village, the official said.