In addition, President Emmanuel Macron admitted that the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, which was probably responsible for the massacre in Russia, had planned several attacks in France in recent months. As a precaution, France declared the highest terror alert level.
The French police, gendarmerie and intelligence services are ready to ensure the security of the games, emphasized France’s Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin. France is particularly threatened, especially during the Olympic Games, because it represents universal values, said the minister. It had already been announced earlier that up to 45,000 security forces would protect the games in Paris, and around 30,000 police officers would be relocated from the province to the capital region.
Stop near the opening location
Security questions regarding the Olympic Games arose not least after an Islamist killed a man and injured two other people near the Eiffel Tower in early December. The opening ceremony of the games is planned not far from the site of the attack, and huge crowds of spectators are expected along the Seine. The Interior Minister has long since corrected their number downwards. It was said that around 300,000 people could now watch the ceremony.
The makers of the games emphasize the high priority that safety has at the Olympics. As the International Olympic Committee (IOC) explained, local authorities have been aware for years that the highest security measures will be required. “On this basis and based on the regular reports that the IOC receives from them, we have full confidence in the French authorities and their close cooperation with their international partners,” the IOC said.
Bedbug infestation and stolen laptops
Another security aspect is the question of cyber attacks and attempts at destabilization during the games. France recently accused Russia of helping to fuel the excitement surrounding the spread of bed bugs in the summer – via social media accounts. The fuss about the bedbugs was likely to unsettle international visitors in advance – although Paris hotels have long since had their rooms inspected and cleaned by specialist companies so that nothing crawls anywhere during the Olympics.
There was also speculation about the background to the theft of laptops belonging to two Olympic employees in Paris a few weeks ago, which contained security documents. Just a coincidence, many said. But as a national security expert told the French Sunday newspaper “Le Journal du Dimanche” (“JDD”), this is traditionally the work of secret services. Olympic employees responsible for security would have had to be specifically identified and their daily routines spied on in order to carry out the thefts. One goal could be to damage France’s reputation and raise concerns about attacks.
