Elon sophomore heads to Sochi to work as cameraman at Olympics
Threats of a terrorist attack surround the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics taking place next month. Elon sophomore David Comerford will be attending the games and is trying to stay positive.
“I think the ambiguity of it all is a bit disturbing, but other than that, I’m excited,” Comerford said.
He will be leaving for Sochi next week to work for NBC as a cameraman. He worked last summer at the U.S. Open and got the job through his dad who was also a cameraman.
Threats of a terrorist attack emerged after two men released a video threatening to attack Sochi. The men claim to be behind the recent Volgograd bombings that killed 34 people. In the video, they say that they will have a “surprise package” for those attending the Winter Games. But Comerford is trying to forget about the threats.
“I’m trying not to think about it,” he said. “We’ve received some emails from NBC assuring us that everything is going to be okay. So I think in my position, you just gotta look forward to the positive things and hopefully the negatives won’t be an issue.”
But Comerford’s family is nervous. The Winter Games are only 17 days away.
“My mom’s a little bit worried, but at the same time, she’s trying to be supportive,” he said. “And my dad is nervous, but excited for me to have some of the great experiences that he used to have.”
President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, assured the country’s safety. He said there would be 40,000 law enforcement and special service officers on duty. Comerford says that if anything were to happen, he would just follow procedure.
“I would hope that they will have policies in place and I will just kind of follow the lead,” Comerford said.
Comerford’s friend Andrew Cole is also worried but is supportive of his going to the Olympics.
“I think all of our friends are nervous that David is going to Sochi,” Cole said. “But I think this is an amazing experience to have, it’s something he will remember for the rest of his life so we’re all really excited for him.”
Comerford heads to Sochi Jan. 27, a week before the games begin on February 7.
