A heavy security cordon is planned for Australian competitors at the Athens Olympics, according to a new report.

Olympic athletes could even be barred from going on shopping expeditions or sightseeing, the report in the Herald Sun said.

The plan for hired security to accompany Australia's 520 Olympic athletes was compiled by Sydney Olympics chief Bob Myers and has been accepted by the Australian Olympic Committee.

AOC president John Coates confirmed to the Herald Sun that extra security was planned for Athens.

"Even before September 11 we had determined that we would take our own security personnel with the team, which we hadn't done before," Mr Coates told the Herald Sun.

He would not discuss the exact number of security officers envisaged, but said they would consist of serving and former police officers.

And while the Myers report suggested confining athletes to their accommodation as one precaution, Mr Coates said that was not a serious possibility at this stage.

Meanwhile, the Greek government has guaranteed the security of all athletes at the forthcoming Games, saying $1.5 billion had been spent making the event safe.

And it said private security would not be welcome.

Greek Public Order Minister Michalis Chryssochoides said the Greek government "will not accept" national teams bringing security staff.

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