Yard to protect Olympic team

Scotland Yard is set to send armed police officers to this summer's Olympics to protect the British team following fears about slapdash security standards. The move comes amid speculation that Met Commissioner Sir John Stevens and his advisers have grown increasingly frustrated that the Greeks are not taking the terrorist threat seriously.

It follows stories this week that critical delays in the construction of Olympic venues in Athens have dramaticallyreduced the amount of time available to erect security fences, install CCTV and train security guards ahead of the 13 August inauguration.

Scotland Yard today said only that it was in "close discussions" with the Greek government and British Olympic team over security arrangements. But a senior Scotland Yard source told a newspaper: "We will take whatever measures are needed to protect the team."