Olympics-UK troops win over spectators at Olympic venues

* Thousands of British armed forces securing Olympics

* Number boosted due to security guard shortfall

* Troop performance praised by officials and public

LONDON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Better known for their role in

global conflicts and emergencies, the British military is now

being acclaimed for defusing a crisis closer to home after

stepping in to help guard the Olympic Games.

While competing athletes may have wowed the crowds at

Olympic venues, the soldiers, sailors and airmen of Britain's

armed forces have won over spectators with their smiles, cheeky

quips and friendly banter.

Many of the 18,000 servicemen and women on duty had to

sacrifice leave and holidays to screen visitors and guard the

sports arenas, a big departure from their usual role fighting

insurgents, defusing bombs or patrolling Afghan villages.

Although some have grumbled privately about their living

conditions - some have been housed in crowded quarters for the

duration of the Games - their cheerful demeanour has proved a

big hit with the public.

"We have had a great response from our spectators on the

service provided by our armed forces and I want each and every

one of you to know the nation is proud of you and grateful to

you," London 2012 chief Sebastian Coe told service personnel

during a visit to one of their bases on Wednesday.

The military had always been tapped to play a role in the

Olympics, but when security firm G4S revealed two weeks before

the start of the Games that it would not be able to provide

enough guards, the government asked the armed forces to step in.

That raised fears that the presence of large numbers of

personnel in military fatigues would make the Games appear too

militarised and scare visitors off.

But those concerns have proved unfounded, and instead, the

soldiers have built up a rapport with the public and their

professionalism is viewed by many as comforting.

Until recently Britain's armed forces were rarely seen in

uniform in public unless on active service, partly because of

security risks posed by Northern Irish guerrillas.

But that threat has dwindled since a 1998 peace deal with

the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and the hundreds of deaths in

recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have earned the

military greater affection in the eyes of the public.

Factory worker Stephen Fennel said the army's politeness

helped calm nerves.

"The British army has a great history of manners. One of the

reasons why the British have manners is because the British army

traditionally has had manners," he said, as he walked by the

main Olympic venue in east London.

With the Olympics considered a potential target for

militants such as al Qaeda, security is rigorous, with checks

similar to those at airports, where tempers often fray.

"I thought the army were really professional and had a light

touch. I trust the army more than the police, and definitely

more than private security firms," said Olympics spectator

Philippa Ward, a charity programme manager.

There have even been suggestions that the military should

take on a similar role at other events in future.

EYE-OPENER

It's not just been outside the stadium where the military

has been drafted in to help. Embarrassed by empty seats at

venues, it was to the military that Olympic organisers turned

again, and the sight of uniformed service personnel in the seats

cheering has helped to pump up the mood.

Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff, General David

Richards, said working at the Games was a good way for the

public to get to see the armed forces, and for the troops to

gain experience dealing with the public outside of war zones.

He also thanked soldiers for postponing their holidays.

"As a soldier myself, I know that service demands often come

before personal plans. Many sailors, soldiers, airmen and

marines have delayed time with friends and family this summer to

help support the London 2012 Games," Richards said.

"Her majesty's armed forces are renowned for being the most

professional in the world. Together with our athletes we have

helped the UK showcase the best of Britain," he added.

Many army staff clearly have been enjoying the Games, joking

with visitors and adding to the festival atmosphere in the

stands when allocated spare seats.

A British soldier at the Olympic Park wearing the military's

ubiquitous camouflage gear and a beret, who gave his name as

Sush, said the atmosphere had been "very positive".

"People are coming up to say hi. It's been great," he said.

Their participation has also boosted the morale of some of

their number on the British Olympic team.

Chris Sherrington, a royal marine who served in Iraq, said

it had been a huge spur to see his colleagues shouting support

during his fights in the men's heavyweight judo competition.

While most defeated competitors left the arena looking

deflated, Sherrington stopped, grinned and saluted them before

marching off, military style, to roars of delight.

"It's great having the boys here and the fact they have come

all this way, I had to give a salute as a thank you," he told

Reuters.

Not all the thousands of soldiers are pleased about the

unexpected deployment.

One soldier who declined to be named said: "I'm not a happy

chappie at the moment. I'm meant to be on holiday -- My family

is in Spain. I'm not there because G4S didn't do their job.

"If I could choose to be anywhere in the world, it certainly

wouldn't be here."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/olympics-uk-troops-win-over-spectators-olympic-venues-195520716--spt.html

xbox live update joan rivers gary carter dies oolong tea survivor one world lil kim progeria