Sochi security on the minds of Canucks players headed to Olympics

One of the star players of Canada’s Olympic men’s hockey team said he won’t have family in the crowd cheering him on in Russia next month.

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo said the security of the Winter Games in Sochi has been on his mind.

“I’m not going to lie. I think we’re all concerned,” Luongo told reporters Wednesday afternoon.

“We’re going to keep an eye on it over the next few weeks. I’m sure we’re going to have a few meetings and make sure everything is okay before we head over there,” he said.

READ MORE: What you should know about travelling to Sochi

When asked if any family would be in attendance when Team Canada hits the ice, Luongo said he would not — in part because of the distance and in part because of increased security concerns.

“I’d rather them be safe at home,” the 34-year-old said.

Canucks forward and Team Sweden member Daniel Sedin also confirmed he would not have family there, other than his twin brother and fellow teammate Canucks captain Henrik Sedin.

A series of attacks not far from the Olympic host city have prompted fears of a terrorist attack during the Games, in particular twin bombings in the city of Volgograd last month — about 990* kilometres northeast.

A Dagestan-based Islamist group Ansar Al-Sunna claimed responsibility for the attacks and warned they may attack the Olympic site in retribution for “the innocent Muslim blood being spilled all around the world.”

READ MORE: Russia bombings: Olympic committee says Team Canada’s safety is ‘main priority’

Canada’s Dept. of Foreign Affairs has advised Canadians to exercise caution but has not warned against travel to the Black Sea resort city.

“Any high-profile international event is vulnerable to the risk of a terrorist attack. If you are planning to travel to the Games, take sensible precautions,” Foreign Affairs said on its website, noting there are already special security arrangements in place, including at Olympic venues, border crossing and airports.

Foreign Affairs advises against travel to several parts of the mountainous North Caucasus region, 150 kilometres away from Sochi.

Areas of concern include Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Karachai-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria and several districts of the Stavropol Krai region.

Despite its proximity to North Caucasus, there is no warning for Krasnodar Krai – the federal subject of Russia where Sochi is situated – and the government is only advising people take “sensible precautions.”

*With files from The Associated Press

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story state Sochi is 650 kilometres from Volgograd. The distance between the two stories is approximately 990 kilometres