Teams increase security for athletes travelling to Rio for Olympic Games

(Pexels photo)

HUNTSVILLE, Omtario – There has been a spike in calls to private security firms by Canadian and international athletes and their teams who are preparing to leave for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, and are concerned about local police officers and firefighters, who are working under protest since they have not been paid for months.

At least two foreign TV news crews and two athletes; including one who is a Paralympian from Australia; were robbed of their equipment and money by street thugs and gangs who roam the streets of Rio, says Sunil Ram, President and Founder of Executive Security Services International (ESSI) that provides a wide-range of services including; Armed private security, bodyguards, close protection agents or even security drivers.

Ram says a number of international athletes and teams have contacted him and his licensed staff to provide professional security coverage while they are competing in Rio.

Dozens of that city’s police officers and firefighters recently took to Rio International Airport with a large sign that read: “Welcome to Hell. Police and firefighters don’t get paid; Whoever comes to Rio de Janeiro will not be safe.”

The lack of cash has also grounded Rio’s fleet of police helicopters and half its police cars in a bid to save on gas.

“The demand for executive security services has jumped in recent weeks due to continuing work disruption and protests by police officers who are disgruntled because they have not been paid,” he says. “I was recently in the area and experienced first-hand how terrible the situation is.”

Ram, who has been in the security field for more than 25-years, says some foreign delegations are not taking chances and are hiring security companies as a precautionary measure to protect their high-priced athletes.

“International teams are not taking chances and want to protect their athletes, coaches and other staff in Rio,” warns Ram, who is widely-respected in the business and is often called upon by Media Outlets for his views. “The threat of providing the best security for their squads, coupled with the Zika virus are presenting quite a challenge for teams.”

ESSI’s staff includes former government, law enforcement and individuals from elite counter-terrorism units who currently work globally providing high-risk protective-security services.

Their Close Protection Teams have provided services for VIPs attending the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Olympic Games, international celebrities and businessmen. They also provide security for Board or Directors or Annual General Meetings, executive security, pageant security, award ceremonies, dignitary protection, witness protection or court hearings.

The 2016 Summer Olympics is the world’s largest international sporting event that is held every four years.

It will be attended by as many as 500,000 people from more than 100 countries.

Some 85,000 Brazilian police and soldiers are slated to be deployed in Rio during the Olympic Games that runs from August 5-21.