Organisers of the Paris Olympics have said security has been their No 1 priority during the planning of the event but say they face a challenge to ensure “perfect” security while also making the Games feel like a celebration.
Security has been a significant point of discussion since Paris was awarded the Olympics in 2017. It has become even more significant with the organisation’s desire to bring the Games outside the venue and to the wider public.
The opening ceremony takes place on the Seine this Friday, with temporary seating having been built by the riverbanks. More than 300,000 spectators are expected to attend.
Speaking on Sunday Tony Estanguet, the president of the Paris 2024 organising committee, highlighted the torch relay across France as proof of their commitment to safety.
“There is an expertise when we looked at how it’s been tackled with the Olympic torch relay in Paris, with 500,000 participating in the Olympic torch relay. It has been completely safe, a fantastic atmosphere of celebration and it will be also the case for Paris 2024,” Estanguet said.
“There is for each single moment – for the opening ceremony and for all the competitions before and after the opening ceremony – a specific plan to guarantee the security for all the accredited persons and the spectators. We can absolutely guarantee that security was the priority for Paris 2024 and from this base we built the concept of celebration.”
So far, the most visible security measure has been the local government’s decision to enforce a restricted zone around the Seine for more than a week prior to the opening ceremony. The anti-terrorism security perimeter, requires people to obtain Games Pass QR codes or show Olympic accreditation in order to enter the closed-off areas. Disgruntled residents and tourists without either pass have been sent to other points where they can cross the river and businesses within the boundary have had a significant drop in business.
Additionally, there has been a significant police presence around metro stations. Estanguet explained his committee had to find a balance between managing air-tight security and creating a celebratory environment.
“There is no discussion, there is never a discussion to put at risk a security model for the basis, how we can guarantee the security for the spectators and for the athletes,” he said. “That’s why there is an unprecedented system of security in our country and in Paris particularly to make sure that security will be there.”
Over the past days, numerous foreign police forces have entered France to assist local forces, including German police, Brazilian police and Indo-Tibetan Border Police. “There is an international security partnership, like it’s always done for any international events,” said Estanguet. “We speak with about 40 countries that collaborate with France on the security measure.”
More than 8.8 million tickets have already been sold for Paris 2024, more than for any other Olympics. A further million tickets remain available for members of the public to buy from the official website.
