Brits expect 600k+ visitors for Olympics

LONDON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- The British Border Agency said 600,000 to 700,000 foreign visitors are expected in the country for the Summer Olympics.

Tony Smith, senior director of the Olympic program for the agency, told a crowd at the Royal United Services Institute in London that 70,000 of the expected visitors will be bearing Olympic passes as team members, supporters and officials, The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday.

Smith said 20,000 of the pass-holders who would normally need a visa to enter the country will instead have their identities verified through biometric tests.

"We will be sharing data with the intelligence and security services and with the Serious and Organized Crime Agency so we will have every opportunity to identify any serious threat," he said.

Smith said 470 volunteers and 500 reserve or retired agents are being added to the agency's 4,500-strong staff for the Olympics.