VISITING International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge yesterday put emphasis on security for this year’s Olympic Games in Athens.

Speaking at a news conference in Nicosia, Rogge said security was the number one priority of the IOC.

“The seven major countries working with Greece on the issue are positive and say that everything that is needed and is humanly possible has been put in place,” he told reporters.

Rogge said the IOC had been aware of the security issue for some years, especially after the killing of eleven athletes at the Munich Olympic Games in 1972.

“Since that day, the IOC has put priority number one in security. We always insisted on maximum security. We update our security measures on a regular basis,” he said. “This does not mean that we can guarantee 100 per cent security, no one can, in no other circumstances either,” he added.

“We are very confident that our Greek friends have done everything that is needed,” Rogge said and added, “I believe that there will be very good Games definitely in Athens.”

Referring to the IOC’s goods relations with the Cyprus Olympic Committee”, Rogge said that on July 5 a regional forum of National Olympic Committees would be taking place on the island.

Countries that have been affected by war in the past or are still facing conflicts will participate in the forum and will debate on sport leading to a better world, he said.

Before arriving in Cyprus on Tuesday night, Rogge was in Athens, where he examined progress in the preparations for the Games.

He said there was still a lot to be done before the opening but believed it would all be completed in time.

“Construction will be finished in due time. The Greeks have to continue with the same pace. If they do that they will be very successful,” Rogge said.