Kerry on travel to Sochi: ‘I’d say go’

Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday he would be comfortable having his daughters board a plane to Sochi, Russia, to attend the Winter Olympics. 

“Based on the information I have, yes. But again, if there’s something more specific, if there’s something — that’s challenging, we’ll obviously make people aware of it,” Kerry said in an interview with NBC. 

{mosads}The question has been increasingly posed to U.S. officials as security warnings from the United States went to out to airlines ahead of the opening ceremony Friday. 

Kerry said the State Department is not deterring people from attending the game, even in light of a warning to airline flights heading to Russia to be on the lookout for toothpaste and cosmetic tubes that could contain explosive material. 

Kerry said the “generic” threat of people wanting to do harm exists every day, and people should remain vigilant and attentive. 

“But as I said, if an American wants to go, including my daughter, I’d say go,” he said. 

The State Department issued a travel warning to the country last month, making the same basic warning to be aware and to check in with the State Department when in the country. 

“If we have any information that is specific, we’ll put it out. We will issue a travel advisory. So we say to people just check in with us,” he said. 

The State Department has not issued a specific threat, Kerry reiterated, while refusing to weigh in on a statement from the Russian government Thursday that asserted the games would be as safe as any held in the United States. 

A day after the Department of Homeland Security issued its warning to airlines, the Transportation Security Administration announced it would ban all aerosols and liquids on flights between the two countries. Another Delta Airline advisory is requiring passengers flying between the two countries to check in at the airport, rather than online.