IAEA: Terrorists Planning Olympic Dirty Bomb

It's probably safe to say every Olympics from here on out will face such threats.

Of course, they mention no possible suspects (cough, cough Islamists) nor do they have any specific information of any pending threat. Still, it's enough to cause some concern.

Chances are more likely of something happening in London in 2012.

Terrorists are trying to obtain nuclear material in a bid to cause widespread chaos at the Beijing Olympics, it has been claimed.

The International Atomic Energy Authority warned that terrorists may try and use dirty bombs to disperse radioactive materials during the high-profile event.

The UN nuclear watchdog issued the stern warning as it staged its biggest ever security training exercise in the Chinese capital.

The agency's head of nuclear security, Dr Anita Nilsson also claimed that the same threats will loom over the London Games in 2012.

"There is a threat at some level that these [radioactive] materials could be used," Dr she told the BBC.

“The awareness that these materials do exist in circulation is enough in itself to trigger the measures that we are now working together with the Chinese authorities to implement at the major venues of the Beijing Olympics."

However, the agency admitted there was no specific information about a potential or imminent terror attack.

I'm mildly surprised this toothless watchdog would even surmise there's potential for such an attack considering they've turned a blind eye to nuclear proliferation elsewhere, specifically in Iran and Syria.

Obviously the Chinese are taking this seriously, and to some surprise, so is the IAEA.

But can you imagine the reaction from China if something like this were to happen?

I suspect those complaining about our tactics in the war on terror would have their hands full chronicling the alleged violations of international law and the Geneva Convention.