Skiing in Sweden
As well as sponsoring the Alpine World Ski Championships in Åre, Sweden,
G4S also ensured
the security of participants and spectators during the largest winter sports event ever held in
the country.
Mikael Lagelius, responsible for Event-Security at G4S Security
Services in Sweden, summed up the security assignment for
the Alpine World Ski Championships in Åre 2007, and other big sports events as 'human security for participants,
organizers and spectators
with security officers that have the right level of flexibility.'
The
Alpine World Ski Championships is a big event and at least 50 security officers, guards
with limited police competence and safety guards attend the two-week long event.
"We
have built up competence in this field over the years",
says Mikael Lagelius. "A World Championship is different in many ways from the presidency in EU.
We and our clients put strong emphasis on finding the right solution for each event", continues
Mikael. "We may suggest a security level and certain arrangements, but in the end it is always
the client who makes the decisions."
Choosing
the right people
Åre 2007 is a public event.
It is important that the spectators feel that they are welcome and that they can come as near as possible
to the pistes and the alpine stars. At the same time there mustn't be any disturbances.
The
the security officers for the assignment are always carefully chosen.
"We
want happy, service minded security officers who are proud of their work and who can act as ambassadors
for G4S and the event itself.", Mikael adds.
The Alpine World Ski
Championships
2007 in Åre is a huge task for the Police in Jämtland (the Swedish province where Åre is situated) and
the national Police also maintain a regular check on activities at the event too.
Helene
Svensson at the Police in Jämtland is responsible for the planning of the biggest winter sports event
ever and was very happy with the G4S cooperation at the Alpine World Cup finals during 2006.
"Our
goal is that everything runs smoothly throughout the
Championships. The contribution of G4S is welcome. We would
not be able to manage without their security officers and guards with limited police competence."
"Everything
worked very well. The security officers were flexible in the right way and they proved that a smile
can help a lot. We follow the same principles in the Police, asfar as it is possible."
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