Sochi Olympics security measures: No strange cars

MOSCOW - Russia began implementing stringent security measures Tuesday in its southern resort of Sochi, one month before the start of the 2014 Winter Olympics there.

Tens of thousands of Russian police, security agents, rescue workers and army troops are being deployed for the games, which run Feb. 7-23. Vladimir Puchkov, who heads the Emergency Situations Ministry, said all of his security units for Sochi were on duty as of Tuesday

In addition, all vehicles were banned from the area beginning Tuesday except for those registered in Sochi or with special Olympics passes.

Security concerns are high because of a violent Islamist insurgency simmering in the nearby North Caucasus region. Fears were heightened following two suicide bombings last week in the city of Volgograd, about 400 miles away, which killed 34 people and wounded scores.

Although there has been no claim of responsibility for the bombings, the leader of the Islamist insurgency last year called for attacks aimed at undermining the Sochi Olympics.

Tuesday was to be the start of a ban on all demonstrations in Sochi not connected with the games. President Vladimir Putin last weekend rescinded the blanket ban, but any demonstrations or marches still need to be approved by the Interior Ministry, which is in charge of the country's police force.

Putin has spent the past few days in Sochi, where he attended midnight church services ahead of Orthodox Christmas on Tuesday. Last week, he inspected preparations for the games and went skiing in the mountains near Sochi.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, who heads the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee, said everything was ready with a month to go until the opening of the games.

"Every sport venue is fully prepared and has been thoroughly tested, new road and rail routes are ready to transport visitors and rehearsals for the opening ceremony are well under way," he said in a statement.

He said athletes, coaches and the media have all received their official accreditations and Russian volunteers and staff are waiting to greet them with the "warmest of welcomes."