As Paris gears up for the 2024 Olympic Games, the city is implementing unprecedented security measures while facing challenges and controversies. On July 18, 2024, French authorities began locking down central Paris, particularly along the Seine River, where the opening ceremony will take place on July 26. The security operation involves 45,000 police officers and gendarmes, along with 10,000 soldiers, tasked with securing the river and surrounding areas.In a significant development, French authorities arrested a 24-year-old far-right sympathizer on July 17, suspected of planning attacks during the Olympics. The suspect, who administered a Telegram group called ‘French Ariana Division’, is now under investigation by anti-terrorism police. This arrest comes amid growing security concerns, including a recent incident where a car crashed into a café in Paris’s 20th district, killing one person and injuring six others.Despite these challenges, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo made a bold move to showcase the city’s readiness for the Games. On July 17, she swam in the Seine River to demonstrate its cleanliness, describing the water conditions as ‘rather optimal’. This act highlights the French government’s investment of over 1.4 billion euros to make the Seine swimmable for Olympic events and future public use.The city is also implementing new traffic restrictions from July 18, with a special security perimeter along the Seine divided into red and gray zones. Access to these areas will be controlled, with pedestrians and cyclists needing QR codes in some zones. These measures have sparked mixed reactions, with some residents feeling constrained by the security barriers.As the Games approach, Paris continues to balance the demands of hosting a major international event with the need for stringent security measures and minimal disruption to city life. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the success of these preparations and the city’s ability to host a safe and memorable Olympic Games.
Key points
- Paris is implementing extensive security measures for the 2024 Olympics, including 45,000 police officers and 10,000 soldiers.
- A far-right sympathizer was arrested for planning attacks during the Olympics, heightening security concerns.
- Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo swam in the Seine to demonstrate its cleanliness for Olympic events.
- New traffic restrictions and security zones are being implemented in central Paris, causing some controversy among residents.
Contradictions👾While authorities are implementing strict security measures, including arrests of potential threats, they also claim that the Olympics are not the subject of specific targeting by international terrorist organizations.
