Travel Alert Issued For Sochi Olympics

Americans planning to attend the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, should be vigilant about their security due to potential terrorist threats, crime and uncertain medical care, the State Department advised Friday.

In a travel alert, the department said it was not aware of specific threats to U.S. interests related to the Games that begin next month. But it said large events like the Olympics are ‘‘an attractive target for terrorists’’ and Americans should be aware of their surroundings and take common-sense precautions to stay safe, notably on public transport.

Public transport in the general vicinity of Sochi has been targeted by terrorists as recently as late December, although the department stressed that those attacks took place in the city of Volgograd, some 600 miles (965 kilometers) from the Games venue.

In addition to the potential for terrorism, the State Department said Americans should consider buying private medical evacuation insurance if they attend the Olympics as medical facilities are ‘‘untested’’ in Sochi, which has never before hosted such a large event.

It also warned Americans to be wary of common criminal activity, which tends to rise at most large gatherings around the world. (Associated Press)