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August 12, 2008
Posted: 1217 GMT
BEIJING, China — For the past week, pulling up to the Main Press Center at the Olympics has been uneventful. Today, something caused many of the journalists on the bus to do a double-take. 
Hot wheels outside the Olympic media center in Beijing.
 For the first time, an armored vehicle sat just inside the gate, next to one of the security checkpoints. At first I thought it was just an exhibit because people were milling around it taking pictures and no one was moving them away. But there were men inside looking quite serious. I’m still puzzled, though, because the gun was covered. So curious me, I went into the media work area and started searching for pictures of Chinese military vehicles. I still haven’t found a photo that helps me identify the vehicle outside. So I’m not sure if it is a military or police transport. But it really doesn’t matter, because I’ve felt quite safe here. Security is everywhere here yet unobtrusive. It’s not like you see soldiers walking around with automatic weapons. Most of the men we see — standing at attention near the perimeter fences — aren’t armed at all with anything more than a radio. Posing as a journalist — something I am accused of all the time — wouldn’t be a way to sneak something in. Every day we have to go through bag screening and metal detectors before getting on the bus to shuttle us from the media village to the work. The security workers are pretty thorough, too. Every few days I get picked for a bag search. Every day I get wanded. If I have a drink I have to take a sip. Some people have asked me if they stepped up security after the U.S. tourists were attacked (or the attacks on Chinese police officers in other parts of the country). I haven’t noticed a difference. We’ve been pretty secure here all along. Posted by: CNN.com's Steve Almasy
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About this blog
Receive updates from across the world on the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. "Olympics and the World" is a blog offering you the thoughts and observations from athletes, journalists around unique personalities preparing for the Olympics in China. Whether it's from the training field, the newsroom or the homes of everyday people, "Olympics and the World" provides you a global pulse as the Beijing Olympics approach. Special Report: Beijing 2008  Athletes
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