50 days before the championship: Security is foremost

The cities of Bratislava and Košice which are soon to become the venues for the upcoming 2011 IIHF World Championship (29th April – 15th May 2011) and today, the mayors of both cities - Milana Ftáčnika (BA) a Richard Raši (KE) presented the security cooperation between the two cities and the championship organizers. At the joint press conference at the Primates palace in Bratislava journalists met the championship general director Igor Nemečk, Organizing Committee security expert Stanislav Jankovič, police chief Ľubomír Ábel and Slovak Travel Board general director Peter Belinský.

Bratislava mayor Milan Ftáčnik provided a brief on the citys cooperation with the city police. The capital has provided training for the city police to help them provide information to foreign visitors during the 2011 IIHF World Championship. According to Ftáčnik, the city police should not only oversee security in the respective areas, but also serve as a point of first contact for visitors. "We have provided training for the city police to prepare them for this role and have chosen officers who are able to communicate in English and German," stated Ftáčnik. "security is a key factor for the entire championship. Security failures could ruin the whole experience," said Košíce mayor Richard Raši. Additional police officers will be deployed. "Security measures will involve all police units" said police vice-president Ľubomír Ábel.

2011 IIHF World Championship traffic organization - pedestrian routes
General 2011 IIHF World Championship traffic organization - entry routes to the city
2011 IIHF World Championship traffic organization - area at STEEL ARENA

Both cities have prepared Fan zones for fans, where big screens will provide coverage of the championship games. The City Fan Zone and the Fan village will also feature security cells. The Bratislava Fan zone know as the Fan Village featuring a big screen and souvenir and refreshment stands will be located in the Kalinčiakova street school compound. The River Fan Zone on the other hand will be on the Tyršovo embankment. The Košice Fan Village and City Fan Zone will be located at opposite ends of the High street (Hlavna ulica) "We have over 100 small cultural events around the Fan zone" added Raši.

Ftáčnik assumes that the city can provide everything necessary for all visitors to feel secure, whether they are directly at the games, or in the Fan zones. "We will deploy a greater number of police officers, around the stadium there should be about 60" stated Ftáčnik According to city police superintendent Zuzana Zajacova the police are ready to tackle even the most complex problems that may occur. "Its not possible to say in advance, because emotion and alcohol will play their roles in matters" stated Zajacová. In terms of traffic, the police will regulate traffic 24 hours a day.

There will be other large events taking place in Bratislava during the 2011 IIHF World Championship which will require security, therefore the police will not be on duty only around the stadium. For example, the May festival takes place at the end of April as do Flora and the International Dog Show. "We want everything to be in harmony, it is necessary to look from a different perspective as to whether people feel safe here " said Ftáčnik.

The Slovak Travel Board is also promoting the championship. "The 2011 IIHF World Championship is a unique opportunity to improve the countrys visibility in the eyes of tourists, "says agency general director Peter Belinský. At the same time the PlayFair campaign was introduced , a campaign which was initiated by the Slovak Travel Board and joined by the cities of Bratislava and Košice, both the municipalities and the Trade and Tourism Association. "In the campaign we are fighting for better services and more amiable tourism in Slovakia and we will continue to do so after the championship," said Belinský.
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During the 2011 IIHF World Championship four parking areas will be available in Bratislava for fans: Zones – for cars and tour coaches. Parking zone 1 is situated in the Žabí majer area on Staviteľskej street in the former customs warehouse compound, Zone 2 is located in Prievozka on Hranična street in the former Czechoslovak bus station compound and is zoned for busses. Zone 3 is designated as a reserve car park in the event of Zones 1 and 2 being full to capacity and is located in the former technical service compound on Technicka street. Zone 4 is located in Petržalka near the Old Bridge in close proximity to the River Fan Zone and is predominantly to serve River Zone fans. The capital city has placed navigation information tables on motorway turnoffs and bypasses to aid motorists. Transport from the car parks to the Orange Arena will be prepared by shuttles.

source: www.iihf.com/sk