My latest column for the National Sports Journalism Center deals with stories these veteran Olympics journalists hope they never to have to cover in Sochi.

From the column:

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The Olympics are set to end with closing ceremonies on Feb. 23. If all goes as planned, and if these Games only are about the thrill of competition and the once-every-four-year quest for gold, everyone, and I mean everyone, will breathe a major sigh of relief. And then they will get out of Sochi as soon as possible.

Indeed, the threats of terrorism are real, alarmingly so. Despite unprecedented security by the Russians, there are no guarantees.

So it’s little wonder why veteran journalists of many Olympics are experiencing some trepidation about covering these Olympics. They know the story may not be about the Games.

The Chicago Tribune’s Phil Hersh admitted, “Yes, I’m a bit apprehensive. More so than Athens.”

The 2004 Summer Games were in Athens, not far from the terrorists’ havens across the Mediterranean. USA Today columnist Christine Brennan called it, “a home-game for the terrorists.”

“It’s a real miracle that nothing happened,” she added.

The concern, though, for Sochi seems different, more palpable. There is considerable unrest in the region with terrorists bent on disrupting Putin’s grand showcase.

ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap said in an email: “There’s often anxiety going into these events; although never before as much as now. The hope is that everybody stays safe. If that is achieved, the games can be enjoyable.”

Russia’s security will be a focus throughout the entire Games. Upon arriving in Sochi, Hersh did a post about being surprised by not being overwhelmed by the presence of soldiers and police.

Hersh writes: “At the venues, such freedom of movement undoubtedly will disappear over the next few days, as it always does. Yet being told where one can and cannot go does not necessarily add to a feeling of being safe.”

John Cherwa, who will be on-site coordinating the coverage for Tribune Co. newspapers, says his staff includes two foreign correspondents, one based in Sochi and another in Moscow. Given all the controversies about Russian’s policies and other issues, the correspondents will have ample material during the Games. However, Cherwa’s crew also will be prepared if the worst happens.

“I suspect if there is a terrorist attack that it will not be in Sochi,” Cherwa said. “We’ll feed them with whatever we get.”

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Here’s the link to the entire column.