The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games take place Feb. 7 to 23. That's only a couple of weeks away, but security remains a concern for host country Russia. The Russian Government has been the target of recent terror attacks by Doku Umarov, a Chechen rebel. Umarov is reviled as a Bin Laden-type figure and President Vladimir Putin would like nothing more than too get rid of him. Until that happens persistent terror threats will continue to hammer the country.

The terror threats and recent bombings near the Resort town of Sochi have contributed to a ticket-selling shortfall numbering in the hundreds of thousands. That adds up to a 30 percent shortfall. In an effort to negate the site of empty stands, the Russian Government may use volunteers according to the Los Angeles Times.

"Why should places go empty?" Putin was quoted as saying by R-Sport. "It's better that they're filled, and occupied by people who love sport."

International security experts seem split over the truth behind these claims. While some insist that the threats being levied at Sochi are just talk, terror attacks on the Olympic Games are not unprecedented. The most recent incident occurred during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Home grown American terrorist Eric Rudolph detonated a bomb that killed spectator Alice Hawthorne and wounded 11 others. Yet the most infamous Olympic incident took place during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany. Members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage in the Olympic Village and later executed.

An attack like those carried out during the Atlanta and Munich Olympics would be a terrible day for the international community. In an effort to prevent any issue(s) the Kremlin has ratcheted up security. The Sochi Olympic Village is considered to be the most secure of any facility in Sochi. If an attack still takes place despite these measures it would leave Putin with more than just egg on his face. His lofty legacy would forever be tarnished.

Fox News reports that various countries, including the U.S., have received threatening messages whether it be by snail mail or email. 

"We have received the email in question and we have forwarded the message to the appropriate authorities," USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said. "The safety and security of Team USA is our top priority. As is always the case, we are working with the U.S. Department of State, the local organizers and the relevant law enforcement agencies in an effort to ensure that our delegation and other Americans traveling to Sochi are safe."

"Persons attending the Olympic Games might be blown up," proclaimed a portion of a message sent to Hungary, according to the country's Olympic committee international relations director, Zsigmond Nagy. 

Are you concerned that an attack could be carried out by Chechen rebels or other Islamic terrorists? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.