French Interior Minister Praises Law Enforcement for Security Work at Paris Olympics
PARIS — Three days before the start of the 2024 Olympic GamesThe French interior minister has praised law enforcement for their hard work in making the Paris Games safe for thousands of athletes and millions of fans despite security challenges.
Paris deploys around 30,000 police officers every day for the Olympics, which run from Friday to August 11, with a peak of 45,000 for the opening ceremony on the Seine.
In a handwritten note to tens of thousands of police officers, firefighters, bomb disposal experts, intelligence agents and private security personnel, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said that “the biggest global event a country can organize” is “finally” here after four years of preparation, but he noted that it faces major challenges. Unprecedented security challenges.
“Your task will not be easy,” Darmanin said in a letter posted on the social media platform X on Monday evening. Paris has repeatedly experienced deadly disasters extremist attacks and international tensions are high due to wars in Ukraine And Gaza.
The Olympic organizers also Concerns about cyber attackswhile human rights advocates and critics of the Games are concerned about Paris’ use of AI-powered surveillance technology and the scale and scope of Olympic security measures that they believe could remain in place beyond the Olympic Games.
Darmanin called on law enforcement in Paris to “pay attention to detail” to ensure the safety of the 10,500 athletes and millions of visitors during the Games, which open Friday with a lavish open-air ceremony stretching for miles along the Seine.
“I am counting on each of you to present the most beautiful face of France, caring, friendly and professional,” Darmanin said. “The eyes of the world will be on you,” he added.
Rather than building an Olympic park with venues grouped outside the city centre, like Rio de Janeiro in 2016 or London in 2012, Paris has chosen to host a large part of the events in the heart of the bustling capital of 2 million inhabitants, with others scattered in suburbs that are home to millions more.
Install temporary sports arenas in public spaces and stage opening ceremony along the Seine makes these protections more complex.
About 18,000 soldiers are taking part in the security efforts, including thousands housed in a huge special camp set up on the outskirts of Paris.
France also receives help from more than 40 countries that together sent at least 1,900 police reinforcements.
____
