Obama gets security briefing on Winter Olympics

• Authorities have expressed worry about terrorism%2C attack on soft targets.
• Obama was assured his team is %27taking all appropriate steps.%27

WASHINGTON — With the opening of the Sochi Winter Olympics just three days away, President Obama was briefed by top advisers on Tuesday on efforts to keep American athletes and visitors safe during the Games, according to the White House.

Obama was updated on the security environment, the latest on U.S. cooperation with Russian authorities, and what steps the U.S. government is taking to support American athletes, the U.S. delegation and Americans attending the Olympics.

"He was assured by his team that they are taking all appropriate steps regarding the safety of Americans," the White House said in a statement. "He directed them to continue to work closely with the Russian government and other partners toward a secure and successful Sochi Games, and to review carefully and act on any new information that might affect the security of the Games."

In the lead up to the Games, American authorities have expressed worries about the specter of terrorism because of the host city's proximity to a hotbed of Islamic extremist activity in the North Caucasus region.

Last week, National Counterterrorism Center Director Matthew Olsen said he's concerned that terrorists may try to strike soft targets on the outskirts of the Olympics rather than attack the Games directly.

Among top officials who joined Obama for the Sochi update on Tuesday in the White House Situation Room were Vice President Biden, National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, CIA Director John Brennan, and FBI Director James Comey.