Robertson confident of safe marathon

Hugh Robertson insisted Sunday's London Marathon would go ahead and be 'safe and secure'
16 April 2013

Sports Minister Hugh Robertson insisted he was "absolutely confident" that the London Marathon could be kept safe on Sunday after two explosions brought a tragic end to its Boston equivalent on Monday.

Race organisers on Monday night confirmed the showpiece annual event in the capital will go ahead despite three people being killed and many more injured in Boston.

Asked if he believed the London Marathon should still take place, Robertson told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "Yes, I do. These are balance of judgments but we are absolutely confident here that we can keep the event safe and secure."

He added: "I think this is one of those incidents where the best way to show solidarity with Boston is to continue and send a very clear message to those responsible."

Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis told a news conference that there had been two "simultaneous explosions" near the finish line of Monday's 26.2-mile event.

"Each scene resulted in multiple casualties," he said.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five, Nick Bitel, chief executive for the London Marathon, said: "We will not be cancelling. What we are doing, we are reviewing. You look at what has occurred, if there are steps we can take to increase security and all sorts of measures one could deploy.

"We run through the city. When you have an event of any nature - a marathon, parade... it's only as safe as the city itself. If it's not held in a stadium you can't do a lockdown like you may do in a building."

In an earlier statement, Bitel said: "We are deeply saddened and shocked by the news from Boston. Our immediate thoughts are with the people there and their families. It is a very sad day for athletics and for our friends and colleagues in marathon running.

"Our security plan is developed jointly with the Metropolitan Police and we were in contact with them as soon as we heard the news."

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