Over 1,000 US Intelligence Officers to Protect US Athletes at Rio Olympics

Washington sent a number of Navy and Marine Corps commandos to provide security and protect US athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, according to media reports.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The United States has sent over 1,000 intelligence agents to provide security and protect US athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, US media reported Friday.

In addition to hundreds of analysts, special operations and law enforcement officers, Washington has sent a number of Navy and Marine Corps commandos, NBC News reported, citing a highly classified US intelligence report.

The security operation, coordinated with the Brazilian authorities, includes 17 US intelligence agencies, spy satellites, electronic wiretapping and monitoring of social networks, according to the broadcaster.

"U.S. intelligence cooperation with Brazil has been excellent since 9/11… We consider the Brazilians to be well-prepared and highly professional," a senior US intelligence official said as quoted by the broadcaster.

The 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the first ever to be held in South America, are set to open in the Brazilian coastal city of Rio de Janeiro on Friday, August 5, and last until August 21.