Italian Senate approves $12.1 million increase in security for 2006 Games

Italian Senate approves $12.1 million increase in security for 2006 Games{mosimage}The Italian Senate approved a $12.1 million increase Friday in the security budget for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

The funding was included in an amendment to a larger package of tougher anti-terror measures adopted Friday, a day after the interior minister warned the threat of terrorism had forced the nation into a prolonged and intense “state of alarm.”

The amendment goes to parliament’s lower chamber for approval Saturday.

“I expect it to pass, most certainly,” said Turin Games supervisor Mario Pescante, who is also Italy’s sports minister and a member of the International Olympic Committee. “I’m very pleased by the government’s immediate intervention.”

Keeping in line with other Italian officials, Pescante declined to divulge details of the security plans for Turin or give a total figure for the security budget.

Pescante is also trying to find a way to modify Italy’s anti-doping laws for the Olympics. Under the legislation, athletes can face criminal charges for possession or use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Fearful of possible arrests of athletes in Turin, the IOC has told Italian officials that Olympic drug-testing rules must take precedence during the games. Under IOC policy, athletes face disqualification and expulsion for doping but not criminal sanctions.

Pescante said he planned to speak with IOC president Jacques Rogge about the issue later Friday.

“We are in the process of finding a solution,” he said. “We will not change the law, though. We are looking to create an exception only for the games.”

Pescante said any official decree would likely be announced “shortly before” the games, perhaps as late as January. The Turin Games are scheduled for Feb. 10-26.

-The Associated Press