Smirnov said the Olympic Committee might ask the government to take measures to protect the country 's best athletes , some of whom have already chosen to live abroad for fear of a surge in crime in post-Soviet Russia .
<response> <person>Smirnov</person> said the <misc>Olympic Committee</misc> might ask the government to take measures to protect the country 's best athletes , some of whom have already chosen to live abroad for fear of a surge in crime in <misc>post-Soviet</misc> <location>Russia</location> . </response>