Paris Olympics Preparations Intensify

AFP/APP

Paris: As preparations for the Paris Olympics reach a critical stage, security teams have intensified their checks along the Seine River, where the opening ceremony will be held.

Up to 7,000 athletes will sail on barges and riverboats, watched by an estimated 300,000 spectators in a historic first for the Summer Games.

French police, supported by colleagues from Spain, Britain, and Qatar, are conducting thorough security checks. A rehearsal for the ceremony, held early on Saturday, was closely guarded to maintain secrecy.

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams hinted that the opening ceremony promises to be a spectacular event, given its novel outdoor setting. Organizers have already sold 8.8 million tickets, surpassing the record from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

However, residents of central Paris have faced significant disruption, with restricted access and reduced local business activity.

Meanwhile, the IOC’s top brass, including President Thomas Bach, met to discuss preparations and address concerns regarding the 2030 Winter Olympics, amid political uncertainties in France.

Adams reassured that the agenda for the Winter Games will be addressed, though acknowledged the complexities due to the current political climate.

The Paris Games will see a minimal Russian presence, with only 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians accredited as neutrals, following the widespread exclusion of Russian athletes in response to the Ukraine invasion.

The IOC is also preparing for potential disinformation campaigns, following recent attacks targeting the Olympics.