Rio Olympics starts now, says Brazil public security force secretary

RIO DE JANEIRO - The National Public Security Force (FNSP) of Brazil has deployed 280 soldiers for the upcoming Olympic diving test event and its secretary said in terms of security the 2016 Rio Olympic Games has already started.

The FINA Diving World Cup, also serving as an Olympic test event, will bring together the sport's global elite from 19 to 24 February at Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre. There will be 272 athletes from 49 countries and regions competing for 92 Olympic places, in 18 individual events and five synchronised events.

The FNSP presented its 280 soldiers in a ceremony held at the Barra Olympic park on Sunday, kicking off its security campaign for South America's first Olympics.

"For us, the Olympics starts now. We will have (near) 50 countries (regions) in this (diving) event, with more than 270 athletes' safety under our responsibility," said Regina Miki De Luca, secretary of FNSP.

The Rio Olympics will boast Brazil's largest ever security operation with an 85,000-strong force to patrol event venues and the city's streets. The plan will see 57,000 military troops deployed plus 28,000 members of the police and other security forces.

The FNSP, composed by military police and civilian police from various states in Brazil, is under direct command of Brazilian federal government. Starting from May, the agency will deploy near 10,000 security force in Olympic venues.