Organizers: Protests won't harm Turkey sport event
Mediterranean Games organizers say 'no elevated risk' from Turkey protests
Turkish protesters sit in Kugulu Park in Turkish capital, Ankara, Monday, June 10, 2013. In a series of increasingly belligerent speeches to cheering supporters Sunday, Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched a verbal attack on the tens of thousands of anti-government protesters who flooded the streets for a 10th day, accusing them of creating an environment of terror. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)
MERSIN, Turkey (AP) -- Organizers of this month's Mediterranean Games in Turkey say the event is "unaffected" by the anti-government protests sweeping the country.
The organizing committee said in a statement Monday that "an exhaustive review of the current situation with leading experts found there is no elevated risk to the event participants."
The Olympic-style games are scheduled for June 20-30 in the Mediterranean coastal city of Mersin. Athletes from two dozen countries are expected to take part.
The statement says organizers have worked "to create rigorous safety and security models to deal with all eventualities."
The protests, which have led to three deaths, entered their 11th day Monday. They are the first serious challenge to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 10-year rule.
