Salt Lake City, Utah will probably be "one of the safest places in the world," from Feb. 8 through the end of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games,  U.S. Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge declared Thursday.

"I can say with certainty this will be the most secure sporting event, probably one of the safest places in the world," said Ridge from Salt Lake following an inspection of security measures in place for the Winter Games.

Appearing on ABC's "Good Morning America," Ridge stated that while no credible or specific threats of terrorist activity involving the Olympics had been received, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies were prepared for the worst. "I can say with assurance that everything humanly and technologically possible has been considered and will be deployed," he said.

Responding to fears that the high level of security would overshadow or detract from the Games themselves, Ridge told an NBC "Today" show audience, "We want the athletes and spectators to enjoy the experience. We want the world to see America at its best.''

Ridge assured fans, athletes and officials that the Salt Lake City area was prepared for "every conceivable, possible attack," including chemical and biological. "They have done everything humanly and technologically possible to prepare, to prevent, to detect, to disrupt, in the very unlikely event that something would occur," Ridge said.

Earlier in the month, Ridge extended the high-alert status for all U.S. law enforcement agencies through both the Superbowl on Feb. 3, and the March 11 end of the Winter Olympics.

A year before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the General Accounting Office (GAO) estimated the cost to U.S. taxpayers of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games at some $1.3 billion, of which, almost $146 million was attributed to provision of safety and security. No estimates of added costs due to heightened anti-terrorism security measures has been announced.

Federal agencies responsible for counter-terrorist security at the Olympic Games include the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

What security measures should guests expect?
While the exact nature of counter-terrorism measures must remain classified, the highest levels of security will be encountered at the sport venues, athlete housing and celebration sites, including the opening and closing ceremonies, and medal awards ceremonies. Visitors should expect to encounter crowd-controlling fencing systems, electronic surveillance, x-ray equipment, contraband detection systems, sophisticated search and detection equipment, and, of course, law enforcement officers.

From 5,000 to 7,000 federal, state and local law enforcement officers will be providing security services. In addition military personnel numbering in the thousands will support the public safety agencies. Finally, more than 5,000 personnel trained for security roles will also be provided by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee.

Will it be more like an armed camp than the Olympics?
As yet another security measure, the vast majority of public safety personnel -- including those in the military -- will not be wearing uniforms. To spectators and participants, they will look like other fans or volunteers. Uniformed officers will be seen only in traffic control locations and certain perimeter positions.