Recent reports confirmed that the upcoming London Marathon will still push through on Sunday despite the recent bombing at the Boston race.
According to Hugh Robertson, London’s Sports Minister, the security system in the upcoming London Marathon need not be a cause for concern. Approximately 36,000 participants will be joining the huge event that started in 1981 and has now become one of the biggest marathons around the world.
Robertson is confident that no bombing will take place on Sunday because they are doubling their efforts in ensuring that all runners will be safe. In an interview he said that they decided to push through with the event despite the tragedy in Boston to show solidarity and pay respect to family and friends of those who were killed and injured.
Boston’s tragic loss
On Monday, Boston was alarmed by a huge tragedy when two bombs exploded at the place of their race, approximately in the 50m and 100m marks. The bombs exploded very near the finish line and caused the lives of three people and injured around a hundred.
According to Boston’s representative, the bombing reminded them of the killings that took place at the World Trade Center on September 11 because innocent lives were once again taken.
A sense of powerlessness
What people felt during the Boston race tragedy was definitely powerlessness, said one of the participants who was safe. Everyone at the venue was helpless and footages of the bombing that was replayed on the local news made it even worse.
Support needed
The tragedy inspired thousands of people around the world to help out the families of those injured in the tragedy. London racers are committing themselves to this race that will cover 42km in a way to show their support to the people of Boston.
A sense of community is also expected and on Sunday, 30 seconds before the start of the race will be allotted to commemorate and pray for the lives of those involved in the tragedy and those who are still haunted by what they witnessed live.
Even though the British capital has also been a usual target of terrorists, representatives of the marathon said that they would not be cowards.
This week has been very crucial because of the funeral of former minister Margaret Thatcher – all the more reason for the security system to be checked and monitored by officials. Robertson said that the military personnel in their country along with the British police are trained and well-versed at guarding events as huge as this one. Other security measures may also be employed.
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