By DPA,
Beijing : An armoured personnel carrier and heavily armed paramilitary police took up positions at Olympic sites Tuesday as security increased following weekend attacks in north-west China.
The armoured vehicle was deployed in front of the main press centre at the media village where people entering from outside by taxi or on foot were screened.
Police commandos were posted at the Olympic Village, where the athletes are staying during the two-week sporting extravaganza.
The Olympic organising committee BOCOG said the measures were introduced to give added protection to athletes, journalists and visitors, even though there was no special danger.
BOCOG secretary general Wang Wei said the decision about the extra security was taken by “the responsible authorities”.
“I didn’t put them there,” he said.
Members of the Uighur ethnic group were blamed for the weekend bomb attacks in Xinjiang, which authorities said resulted in the deaths of 10 of the assailants.