As France prepares for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, it is gearing up for the largest peacetime security operation in French history. With 45,000 police and gendarmes, 18,000 troops, river patrols, divers, and sniffer dogs deployed, the security measures far exceed those of previous European Olympics, such as London. This heightened security response comes amid concerns over terrorism, frequent protests, and potential cyber-attacks, with France still healing from past terror attacks and facing threats magnified by international conflicts.
- The Paris Olympics security operation is the largest in French peacetime history, significantly surpassing the security measures of the last European Olympics held in London.
- A total of 45,000 police and gendarmes, along with 18,000 troops, will be deployed for the games, supplemented by river patrols, divers, and sniffer dogs.
- Concerns over potential cyber-attacks are particularly high, with the entire ticketing system being electronic. Past incidents, like the cyber attack during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Korea, have shown the vulnerability of Olympic Games to such threats.
- Authorities are preparing for various threats including terrorism, cyber warfare, and state-sponsored sabotage, particularly from countries like Russia and Iran.
- A 40-year-old Russian citizen was recently arrested over concerns of planning a disruptive act, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the potential for attempts to embarrass France during the games.
- Foreign armed police officers, including those from Brazil, South Korea, and the United States, are present on the streets of Paris, assisting with security. They may have limited authority, such as performing bag searches.
- The Paris Olympics aims to integrate the games into the city itself, rather than isolating events in remote locations, necessitating a massive security deployment to ensure a safe, open environment for the games amidst the heightened threats.
France 24 is an international television network and news website owned by the French state.
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