Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Boston bombings will not deter London Marathon

Last updated on: April 17, 2013 11:17 IST
Athletes pass the Palace of Westminster during the London Marathon

The London Marathon will go ahead as planned on Sunday despite the bomb attack on the Boston race which killed three people and wounded more than 100, police and officials said on Tuesday.

- Show must go on for city sport events after Boston blasts

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 U.S. city that was rocked by two blasts near the finish line on Monday.

"In security terms we are as confident as we possibly can be that we can deliver a safe and secure marathon," Robertson told BBC.

The 26-mile (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.

There will be a period of silence lasting 30 seconds ahead of the start to mark the "tragic events" in Boston, London organisers said in a statement.

'The best way of dealing with this is to get out on the streets to show solidarity'

Last updated on: April 17, 2013 11:17 IST
Athletes compete during a marathon

"What happened in Boston was shocking and horrific and our thoughts are very much with the victims and their families," London Mayor Boris Johnson told reporters while on a visit to Dubai.

- Indian runner insists Boston blasts won't stop him

Monday's 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 responsibilty 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 to show solidarity with the people in Boston, to celebrate a fantastic marathon and send out a very clear message to those responsible we won't be cowed by this kind of behaviour," he added.

The London race a centrepiece of Britain

Last updated on: April 17, 2013 11:17 IST
Dick Beardsley of the USA and Inge Simonsen of Norway cross the line together to win the 1981 London Marathon with a time of 2:11.48 hours

Metropolitan Police chief superintendent Julia Pendry said the force was reviewing its security arragements in liaison with race organisers.

- Buzz on Internet: 'Sending prayers out for Boston'

London police will also mount a sizeable security operation for the funeral of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on Wednesday.

Mayor Johnson said he had talked to the London police commissioner about both events.

"We have got the funeral and then obviously we have got the marathon at the weekend...clearly we will be calling on the public to be vigilant and maybe there will be some intensified search operation but certainly we will be proceeding as normal," he added.

The London race was first run in 1981 and has become a centrepiece of the sporting calendar in Britain with elite athletes joined by a vast number of amateur runners who compete to raise money for charity.

'Our immediate thoughts are with the people there'

Last updated on: April 17, 2013 11:17 IST
Runners continue to run towards the finish line of the Boston Marathon as an explosion erupts near the finish line

Hundreds of thousands of people line the course with music and food stalls adding to the party atmosphere.

London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said he was saddened and shocked by the bloodshed in Boston.

"Our immediate thoughts are with the people there and their families. It is a very sad day for athletics and for our friends and colleagues in marathon running," Bitel said.

Hamburg's annual marathon will also go ahead as planned on Sunday after German police and security officials said they saw no increased risk for the event.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.