American athletes at the Sochi Winter Olympics have been told that their uniforms pose a possible security risk if worn outside the security zones. Security is reported to be the tightest for any Olympics. It includes the "Ring of Steel" – a zone full of checkpoints that stretches for 90 kilometres along the coast and 40 kilometres inland. Everyone will be X-rayed as they enter. A U.S. official advised American athletes not to "advertise" their nationality outside the Olympic venues. He said wearing conspicuous clothing in the wrong areas may put athletes' personal safety at greater risk.

There are fears that militants from Russian states that want to break away from Russia will attack the games. A group from Dagestan recently claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings in Volgograd which killed 34 people and injured dozens. President Vladimir Putin has personally assured teams that the games will be safe and successful. Security officials are currently hunting for three possible female suicide bombers, one of whom is thought to be in Sochi. There will be more threats as the games get closer. They will be held between February 7 and 23.