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Report: U.S. will post ships in Black Sea in case emergency Olympic evacuation needed

The Sochi Winter Olympics will begin February 6. (The Asahai Simbun/Getty Images)

The Sochi Winter Olympics will begin February 6. (The Asahai Simbun/Getty Images)

The United States will send warships and aircraft to the Black Sea near Sochi in case Americans need to be evacuated en masse from the Olympics, according to a report from CNN.

The move is part of a contingency plan for something like a "major terrorist attack," an official told CNN. The U.S. would not act without Russia's permission, an official also said.

In the lead up to next month's Olympics, much attention has focused on security. Russian president Vladimir Putin has tried to ease fears that the Games may be marred by violence.

"We will try to make certain that the security measures are not intrusive or too conspicuous, so they are not too noticeable for the athletes, the Olympics' guests or journalists, but at the same time, we will do our utmost to ensure that they are effective."

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