LONDON, Jan 20, (AFP): Around 25,000 troops and police officers will be deployed in London during the Olympic Games to prevent attacks, a Scotland Yard official told AFP on Thursday. “The whole purpose of our policing operation is to try and deter terrorists, to deter those wish to do ill to the Games,” Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison said during a security demonstration on the River Thames. Around 100 Royal Marines and 50 police officers rehearsed a series of drills in patrol boats as a Lynx Navy helicopter flew ahead. The drills, which the Metropolitan Police said would continue for a week, are aimed at familiarising troops and police ahead of the summer — when Britain will launch its biggest ever peacetime security operation. Major Paul Stitson of the Royal Marines said the police and military were working closely together. “We have been developing our local knowledge and assessing threats,” he said. “We always prepare for the unknown.”

London’s £553-million ($856-million, 664-million-euro) security operation for the Games will also involve warplanes, two navy ships and surface-to-air missiles. David Beckham has set his sights on captaining Great Britain in their bid for gold at this year’s London Olympics. LA Galaxy midfielder Beckham would love to lead Team GB’s men’s football team and has already spoken to the squad’s coach Stuart Pearce about wearing the armband. It would be an emotional moment for Beckham, who was brought up not far from the Olympic Stadium in London’s East End.

“To lead the team into the Olympics would be special for any player,” said Beckham, who captained England 59 times. “Hopefully I will be involved in the Olympics. I want to be part of the GB team. “I have never played in the Olympics and I know how exciting it is for our nation to have the Olympics in the East End of London, especially for me growing up in the East End.” Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Beckham this week agreed a new two-year contract with the Galaxy after several months of speculation that he might leave the American club. Before snubbing offers from Paris St Germain and two English Premier League clubs, the 36-year-old was sure to confirm that Galaxy manager Bruce Arena was willing to release him for Olympic duty even though it is during the Major League Soccer season. “It is great that we have Galaxy boss Bruce Arena on board if I am gone for that time,” Beckham said. “As for being captain of the GB Team, I’ve had conversations with Stuart but being selected is not even decided yet. “If I am fit, healthy and in form, then hopefully I will be in the team.”


Wilson gets four-year ban: British sprinter Bernice Wilson will be banned for four years after losing an appeal against the punishment, which was handed out after she tested positive for two anabolic steroids.
Wilson, 27, made her international debut at the European indoor championships in Paris in March, but her sudden rise came to an end when she tested positive for testosterone and clenbuterol, on June 12.
An independent National Anti-Doping Panel opted for a four-year ban which Wilson appealed against, and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) confirmed on Friday that she had lost her appeal.
UKAD chief executive Andy Parkinson said: “We have successfully argued for a four-year ban which demonstrates that UK Anti-Doping always seeks robust sanctions against athletes who look to cheat the system and betray those around them.

“This sends a strong message to anyone looking to dope in the UK and gives clean athletes the confidence that we are working hard on their behalf, within the framework of the World Anti-Doping Code, to protect their right to compete in doping-free sport.”
Wilson’s test was conducted after she ran a time of 11.95 seconds for the 100m at the Bedford International Games in June.
She had set new personal best times in the 60m and 100m this year, running 7.25 seconds for the 60m at the European Indoor Trials in Sheffield in February, and 11.57 seconds for the 100m at the Inter Counties Championships in Bedford in May.
A first doping offence normally carries a two-year suspension but it can be increased to four years in some circumstances, including if an athlete tests positive for more than one banned substance.
The National Anti-Doping Panel criticised Wilson, saying that: “far from admitting her guilt she sought to blame other people.”