Paris, France – 2024: Paris is bustling with activity as the city prepares for the upcoming Olympics, set to begin with a spectacular opening ceremony on the River Seine. French security forces have started to lock down large portions of central Paris, anticipating the complex logistics required for the event.
The unique opening parade, which will span six kilometers along the Seine, has led to the closure of central riverside districts to most vehicles starting at 5:00 am (0300 GMT) on Thursday. Entry into the highest-security “grey zone” along both banks of the Seine requires a security pass in the form of a QR code, impacting residents and tourists alike.
With the opening ceremony just eight days away, Paris is undergoing a dramatic transformation in preparation for the Games, which are expected to attract around 10 million spectators. Temporary sports stadiums have been erected at iconic locations such as the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, and the Place de la Concorde. New Olympic VIP lanes have also been introduced, adding to the city’s traffic challenges.
“We’re entering a very operational phase of hosting the world’s biggest event,” stated Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, as he outlined the extensive security measures in place along the Seine. Central Metro stations are also closed until the day after the opening ceremony, which will feature 6,000 to 7,000 athletes sailing down the Seine on about a hundred barges and riverboats. This will be the first time a Summer Olympics has opened outside the main athletics stadium, with up to 500,000 spectators expected to watch from various vantage points along the river.
The ambitious security operation for the opening ceremony has been a significant concern for senior police officers due to the challenge of protecting such a large number of spectators in a densely packed urban area. Approximately 45,000 officers, assisted by 1,900 foreign police, 10,000 French soldiers, and thousands of private security agents, will be on duty for the July 26 parade.
The installation of tens of thousands of metal security barriers along the opening ceremony route and around temporary venues has sparked outrage among some Parisians, who feel restricted and inconvenienced. The concept of using Paris’s historic city center as a backdrop for the Games, rather than relocating events outside the city, has led to numerous complaints and prompted many wealthy residents to leave.
“It’s true that our concept of having a large number of temporary sites in the heart of the city comes with constraints, but I feel like people are seeing what we’re doing,” said Paris 2024 director general Etienne Thobois. Despite the inconveniences, Darmanin reassured that French authorities are prepared to welcome spectators safely, stating that there is “no credible (terror) threat at this point.”
On Wednesday, a suspected far-right extremist was arrested in eastern France for allegedly making threats against the Games in a Telegram group. Additionally, a man was arrested on Monday evening after stabbing an on-duty soldier in a Paris train station.
Elsewhere in Paris, the first athletes are arriving to take up residence in the newly built Olympic Village in a northern suburb of the capital. The village, consisting of around 40 low-rise housing blocks, showcases innovative construction techniques using low-carbon concrete, water recycling, and reclaimed building materials. Initially designed to be free of air-conditioning, the village now includes 2,500 portable cooling units ordered by Olympic delegations to ensure athletes’ comfort amid concerns over high temperatures.
“The major countries are going to arrive on the first day… so Great Britain, the United States, New Zealand, Brazil, Switzerland,” said Andre-Pierre Goubert, deputy head of the French delegation. Journalists observed members of the Argentinian, Brazilian, and Kenyan delegations entering the complex. At full capacity, the village will host 14,500 people, including 9,000 athletes.
Following the Olympics, the city will prepare for the Paralympics, scheduled from August 28 to September 8.
