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The government said it was “working with the appropriate Russian government agencies as well as like-minded allies” to safeguard the Olympics but also bluntly suggested that those thinking of attending should think twice.

“Canadians should be aware that, although the host country will have special security arrangements in place at Olympic venues, this does not eliminate the risk of terrorist attacks,” Mr. Blaney said. “The decision to travel despite these concerns rests with the traveller, and such decisions should be considered carefully.”

While security has been a concern at Olympic events since Munich in 1972, when Palestinian terrorists murdered 11 Israeli athletes, it is a particular issue at Sochi because of its close proximity to an active insurgency led by armed Islamists who share al-Qaeda’s commitment to extreme violence.

A confidential Canadian intelligence report obtained by the National Post last month called Umarov a “fervent Islamist” who subscribes to al-Qaeda doctrine that legitimizes the killing of Western civilians.

While he had called off the targeting of civilians in February 2012 amid bad publicity, Umarov lifted his moratorium six months ago and wants attacks on the Sochi Olympics, urging “maximum force … to disrupt these satanic games.”

Canadians travelling to the Sochi 2014 Winter Games should take sensible precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance

According to a summary of the video in an intelligence report, he said: “They plan to hold the Olympics on the bones of our ancestors, on the bones of many, many dead Muslims buried on our land by the Black Sea. We as mujahedin [soldiers of God] are required not to allow that, using any methods that Allah allows us.”