Jenson Button incident highlights need for sporting bodies to understand all risks say BGP

The need for adequate planning for transport and athlete protection at global sporting events following an incident in Brazil in which Jenson Button narrowly escaped an armed gang.

The incident took place on Saturday (6 November) as Button travelled away from the qualifying day of the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, Sao Paolo.

BGP Global believe the episode has highlighted the need for good scenario planning and the availability of skilled protection drivers for athletes, their personal teams and others away from designated safe environments.

BGP have a growing track record of advising sporting bodies, journalists and leading companies on how to ensure the safety of people when travelling to sporting events, including at this years FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

BGP co- Director Wilf Pickles said,

“Sports have never been so truly global and will take individual talent, teams and guest to parts of the world where there remain challenging environments and local issues.

“These risks should be factored in through good scenario planning, support on the ground and links with local law enforcement authorities. Jenson Button’s driver was highly skilled; he demonstrated the value of having good people available whether supplied by the policing authorities or through private sources.

“Unfortunately there are a growing number of incidents of this kind that means all sporting bodies must be mindful and mitigate all potential risks, however remote they may seem.”