Serena Williams' Questionable Decision On August 13th, I will march into the Olympic Stadium with about 1,000 very proud Americans. If Serena Williams chooses not to join us, that is her prerogative. Of course, everyone is concerned about security in Athens. Since 9/11, our world has been turned upside-down, and we hold our collective breath waiting for the inevitable next attack. But long before 9/11, the Olympic Games became the focal point for terror. In 1972, I attended the Munich Games as a fifteen year old. My father Dan was a referee and he took me out of summer camp to join him. Security wasn't much of an issue back then, as illustrated by my own personal experience the day before the tragedy. I was coming back to the Olympic village from the training facility on the team bus with the US fencers. When we got to the checkpoint, I crouched down behind the team coach, and we were waved through. So, in retrospect, it had to be a piece of cake for the terrorists to infiltrate the village and the Israeli compound. In 1996 I was in Atlanta as a referee. I had been in Centennial Park less than an hour before the bomb went off. But while tragic and incomprehensible, that was an isolated incident in a public area. Three weeks ago, I happened to be in Athens for the Olympic fencing test event when the Spanish train bombing took place. While many Europeans finally opened their eyes to the terror they thought was reserved primarily for anyone but them, it further illustrated that our world will continue to be in disarray until terror is defeated head on. While in Athens, I, along with many of the fencers, met with the US Ambassador to Greece, Thomas Miller. We were less concerned about the roof of the Olympic Stadium being completed and the tracks for the light-rail being laid than we were about our own security. Ambassador Miller assured us that while the Greeks were prioritizing security, we should be comforted to know that the United States government has been, for the first time, fully involved in security for the Games and specifically for the US Team. Behind the scenes, the US government has committed an inordinate amount of money and manpower to ensure the Team's safety in Athens. Ambassador Miller said that security was his top priority, as well. I toured the Olympic Village and was pleased to see that the US Team will be in a section that will have a secondary perimeter. Entrance into the US area will be by credential only. In addition to the special insulation within the village, the US compound will back up to an Air Force base that will be monitored around the clock. Separately, the Olympic Village will be surrounded by twin concrete barriers that have been designed to be impenetrable even by heavy trucks. In addition, the Athens Organizing Committee has budgeted 750 million dollars in order to safeguard the Village with a plethora of security measures ranging from motion detectors to X-ray systems. From the Village, members of the Team will either go to their practice facilities, their venues, or venture into the public domain. Buses will receive police escorts to and from their destinations, be checked by humans and bomb-sniffing dogs, and stay in secured areas at all times. The venues will be protected by a single wall, in addition to other protection. As is usually the case, as illustrated by the Atlanta Centennial Park bombing, the biggest risk to athletes will be when they venture into the public domain. The Team Leaders have already met with Larry M. Buendorf, the Chief Security Officer of the US Olympic Committee, and have been given a comprehensive list of Security Tips. While many of the tips fall into the category of common sense, the fact remains that the athletes can minimize their risk by following Buendorf's guidelines. If something happens, it happens. We all pray that nothing happens, of course. But, we have two choices: Cower to the terrorists and never leave our homes, sort of like Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird… or, live our lives to the fullest, albeit with the reality that terror will strike again. With all due respect to Serena Williams and her decision, the fact remains that she is at risk every time she takes center court at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and wherever else she plays. Furthermore, she's probably at much greater risk at these events than we will be in Athens, as the security at tennis competitions is a drop in the bucket compared to what we will have at this summer's Olympic Games. All I know is that there is no amount of fear that will prevent me from puffing out my chest and feeling the overwhelming rush of pride when I represent the United States and wave triumphantly to the world at the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. The terrorists might have won a battle, but they'll never win the war. Jeff Bukantz Livingston, NJ Captain, 2004 US Olympic Fencing Team