Rio de Janeiro:
Brazil's intelligence chief said on Thursday the attacks in Paris last week underscored the risks as his country prepares to stage South America's first Olympic Games in Rio next year.
Luiz Alberto Sallaberry, head of Abin, the national intelligence agency, said the thousands of fans, athletes and officials attended the Games are "priority targets for terrorists and lone wolf operators."
"We do not have a terrorist cell in the country," Sallaberry said, adding however that there were "people who can facilitate, aid logistically" potential attacks.
"Monitoring lone wolves in Brazil is today Abin's primary action of terrorism prevention," said Sallaberry.
During last year's World Cup, thousands of troops and extra police were drafted to boost security for the month-long event, which drew about a million foreign visitors.
Sallaberry said close monitoring ensured the World Cup went off without major incident. But following the attacks in France claimed by Al Qaeda, Brazil saw an "increased" risk of also being targeted as it prepares to host the Games.
His comments came as Games' organizers unveiled details of the ticketing distribution system for 7.5 million tickets, 70 per cent of which will go to Brazilian fans.
Luiz Alberto Sallaberry, head of Abin, the national intelligence agency, said the thousands of fans, athletes and officials attended the Games are "priority targets for terrorists and lone wolf operators."
"We do not have a terrorist cell in the country," Sallaberry said, adding however that there were "people who can facilitate, aid logistically" potential attacks.
"Monitoring lone wolves in Brazil is today Abin's primary action of terrorism prevention," said Sallaberry.
During last year's World Cup, thousands of troops and extra police were drafted to boost security for the month-long event, which drew about a million foreign visitors.
Sallaberry said close monitoring ensured the World Cup went off without major incident. But following the attacks in France claimed by Al Qaeda, Brazil saw an "increased" risk of also being targeted as it prepares to host the Games.
His comments came as Games' organizers unveiled details of the ticketing distribution system for 7.5 million tickets, 70 per cent of which will go to Brazilian fans.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
