Another hot issue for the Olympics this Thursday. After the strike at the medal manufacturer or the controversy linked to Russian and Belarusian athletes, security. After a follow-up meeting for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin spoke on his social networks this Thursday to reveal the conclusions of this exchange, and in particular the results of the security investigations carried out within the framework of the Olympics.
“150,816 security investigations were carried out (torch relayers, private security personnel, service providers, etc.). 715 people were thus excluded for potential risks, including 10 individuals on S file. We remain firm and extremely vigilant,” wrote the Minister of the Interior on his X account (ex-Twitter).
Olympic Games follow-up meeting: 150,816 security investigations were carried out (torch relayers, private security personnel, service providers, etc.). 715 people were thus excluded for potential risks, including 10 individuals listed as S. We remain firm and… pic.twitter.com/4tdFOqdsln
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) March 21, 2024
For months, investigator-analysts have been discreetly sifting through the hundreds of thousands of accreditation requests from Cojo, the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games. In the context of a “very high” terrorist threat in France, the objective of these investigations is to ensure that no accredited person constitutes a security risk for the Olympic Games.
No accreditation without security investigation
“There cannot be an issue of accreditation from Cojo until there have been the results of security investigations,” Julien Dufour, head of the National Investigation Service, explained to AFP in early March. administrative security authorities (Sneas), responsible for this mission for the Olympic Games.
Security screenings are mandatory for all accredited persons who will have access to protected areas. 10,500 athletes, their staff and some 26,000 journalists will have accreditation. Just like the 22,000 private security agents and 45,000 volunteers, who, however, are not all affected by these investigations.
How do these surveys work?
The first step in the security investigation procedure involves screening, in other words consulting the various police and intelligence files. If no security risk appears, Sneas issues an opinion without objection: a green light. If the person’s name appears in one of these files, an investigator-analyst assesses whether the facts are likely to represent a threat to the event.
Depending on the evaluation, Sneas may issue an opinion of incompatibility and the accreditation request must be refused. Other subsequent investigations are still planned by the Ministry of the Interior, almost four months before the start of the Olympic Games.
