As France prepares to host the highly anticipated Paris Olympics next month, the nation is implementing extraordinary security measures to ensure the safety of athletes, delegations, and spectators during the event’s unprecedented opening ceremony on July 26.
Captain Sandy of the French Army revealed that Fennec helicopters would be deployed to patrol the city and protect its airspace on the day of the ceremony. The ambitious nature of the event, which will feature around 200 Olympic delegations parading on more than 80 boats along a six-kilometer (3.7-mile) route, has presented a significant security challenge for the host nation.
Paris police chief Laurent Nunez announced in April that the parade route will be situated within a high-security zone, termed an “anti-terrorism perimeter,” which will include the first row of buildings along the route. Those wishing to enter the zone in the eight days leading up to the ceremony and on the day itself will be required to pre-register online and undergo mandatory background security checks, known in France as an “administrative investigation.”
In a departure from previous Olympic opening ceremonies, the French government has decided that tourists will not be granted free access to watch the event due to security concerns. Instead, access will be invitation-only, further emphasizing the heightened security measures in place.
While French President Emmanuel Macron had previously suggested the possibility of shifting the ceremony to Stade de France if the threat level was deemed too high, French authorities confirmed on Monday that the event will proceed as originally planned, with no alternatives currently being prepared.
A final rehearsal involving the full armada of boats will be conducted before the opening ceremony, which is expected to attract 100 world leaders to the city’s embankments and draw a crowd of over 300,000 spectators.
France’s Sports Minister, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, expressed the nation’s commitment to making the event a resounding success, stating, “We will give our hearts and souls to make it a great success for the French people. They deserve it.”
As the world eagerly awaits the start of the Paris Olympics, France remains steadfast in its efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment for all participants and attendees while delivering an unforgettable opening ceremony that showcases the best of French culture and hospitality.
AP
