"There is always a risk that major public events could be targeted for criminal acts involving nuclear and other radioactive materials," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement.

"The IAEA helps its member states to prevent such acts by training fire fighters, police officers and border guards how to quickly detect, identify and bring radioactive sources under control."

The IAEA also provided assistance for the 2004 and 2008 Olympics in Greece and China and the 2010 Pan American Games in Mexico, and worked with organisers of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Vienna-based agency also said it was "assisting" Poland's co-host Ukraine

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