The Interior Ministry reported that Paris asked 46 countries to send 2,185 police officers in January. Securing the Olympic Games poses major challenges for France’s security forces. The attack on a concert hall near Moscow last week with more than 140 deaths, which the jihadist militia Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for, made it clear once again what is at stake.
Up to 45,000 French police and gendarmes will be deployed daily during the games. According to government figures, 18,000 soldiers will also be mobilized. In addition, 18,000 to 22,000 private security guards will be deployed. Olympic Games have been attacked in the past, such as in Munich in 1972 and in Atlanta in 1996. The thousands of athletes, the huge crowds and the global television audience make the Games a target for terrorists.
Security cooperation with Germany
In mid-March, Germany announced security cooperation with France for the European Football Championship in Germany and the Olympic Games in Paris. As a result, during the European Championships taking place from June 14th to July 14th, French police officers are supposed to support German officials at the games, especially in encounters with French participation.
At the Olympic and Paralympic Games in France from July 26th to August 11th and from August 28th to September 8th, the Federal Police will send officers to protect the German House in the Jean Bouin Stadium in Paris and probably also the Gendarmerie support in securing public spaces.
After the attack in Moscow, France declared the highest of three terror alert levels. President Emmanuel Macron had admitted that the IS group, which was probably responsible for the massacre in Russia, had also planned several attacks in France in recent months. France is particularly threatened, especially during the Olympic Games, because it represents universal values, said Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin.
IMAGO/ABACAPRESS/Psaila Jean-Michel The highest terror alert level was declared in France after the attack in Moscow
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 December 2023. 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 International Olympic Committee (IOC) said French authorities have been aware for years that the Games will require the highest security measures. “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 over the spread of bed bugs in the summer – via social networks. 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.
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. As a security expert told the newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, this is traditionally the work of secret services. 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 raise concerns about attacks.
2024-03-29 13:00:43
#Olympics #Paris #arming #threat #terrorism
