http://www.outandaboutnewspaper.com/article/3605

Yikes! Pretty scary.

My guess: Neo-nazis. In the last decade or so cuz of Denmark's liberal laws about free speech has made it a haven for them. Here are some links: here & here.

I'd like to see what police and other officials say about it. The way the events are described in the blog, these "explosive devices" sound like fireworks to me instead of bombs.

Yes, fireworks of some sort. Still serious.
http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/article759119.ece

You can see pictures of one injured athlete here, at least today (pictures by Giampiero Mancinelli, San Francisco Track Club):
http://www.kodakgallery.fr/ShareLanding.ac...;localeid=fr_FR

Statement from the FGG on the FGG blog:

The fireworks last night (Tuesday) near Nytor were quite close, scary, and lacked the kind of precaution and distance I am used to seeing (perhaps depending on where you were standing). The noise was ear shattering and I did notice warm ash on my arms. You would have thought they would have canceled fireworks given what happened earlier, and knowing there was not the kind of security we are used to seeing.

A 'bomb' can be a makeshift conglomeration of fireworks materials and scraps of metal, just a matter of size, degree and delivery. It is common for kids to blow off body parts on July 4th improperly using just off the shelf fireworks.

From the description of the object in the now posted Outsports article, I'd now go with bomb. This guy was intent on injuring people. I hope he is prosecuted severely. I am glad to see Dean back on the track after his injury. He is a nice guy and fierce competitor.

I was there stretching in the field while all this occured. The explosion sounded just like an M-80 which is a class c firework I remember from my teenage years. It was many times louder than the starter's pistol which may of us thought malfunctioned. At the time of the first round of explosions, no one was racing on the track as the 200 relays were getting prepared. The location of the strike was around lane 7 at the turn. I saw burn marks and white streaks there.

Security people inside the stadium went to investigate the incident by running to the wall where the explosive was thrown from. Meanwhile the 200s were delayed while every one tried to digest what had just happened. After a few minutes, someone from track and field announced that security was persuing the perpatrators and that no one got hurt. ( which turned out to be incorrect).

After a while the 200 relays resumed. At some point before the start of the 5000m which I was going to do, another exposion went off but this time did not hit the track. Instead it hit next to the stadium seating where the restrooms were. There was a car and camera right there, but I did not hear of anyone getting injured in that blast. This time police arrived on the scene and secured the perimiter where the attack took place. I understand that one suspect was caught.

Personally, I was a little apprehensive about doing the 5k, but felt after the police arrived things would be ok.
At this point I don't know if this was the work of a crazed individual or that of a hate group. If it is the work of a group, the only thing I can say is that any liberal country that welcomes all people regardless of background has to be prepared to take the good with the bad. That is the price one pays for free society.

This was the second incident against Outgames attendees:

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=new...3=&id=94294

Not known if they are connected or what the motivations are.

In some ways I'm surprised this hasn't happened more, and at other Outgames/Gay Games. Certainly future events are going to have to consider some sort of security protocol so that police can be contacted and medical personal are on stand by.

On the other hand it's shocking that in a liberal Scandinavian like Denmark that such things would happen. But I suppose, just because the culture is generally liberal doesn't mean that every individual is. Or that there aren't individuals that harbor grudges, prejudices or racism (not unknown in European sports, for example).

Perhaps it's a bit un-PC to say it, but in some ways this attack benefits this event in that it's now gotten media coverage (of sorts) that it might not have gotten before (esp. since an American was injured).

Hey Mark - I can't speak first hand about security arrangements as an organizer - but as a participant I can tell you that in New York in 1994 for the Gay Games the organizers did an excellent job in making sure we the participants were safe. I could not tell you how many police officers were on hand where we got off the subway and on to the buses to go over to where our softball games were being played over on Randall's Island - I think. Somebody from New York will correct me if I am wrong on that.

Lets just say it did not seem like the nicest neighbourhood we were in where we boarded the buses - and no matter what time of day there were always many cops around to make sure we felt safe.

Security is a major topic when bids for Gay Games are reviewed. I do not know what is done with Outgames.

There were not a great many stories out there about these incidents, but I do know internet traffic was way up for the reports of the attacks.

Thankful the athletes chose to continue.