With a massive security presence, Paris is gearing up for a spectacular opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics. The event will see a procession of barges carrying 7,000 athletes down the River Seine, passing iconic landmarks, with an estimated 300,000 spectators watching from the banks. It’s an unprecedented security operation, with 45,000 police, 10,000 soldiers, and 2,000 private security staff ensuring the safety of the parade and the surrounding area. This display of security comes at a tense time, with wars in Ukraine and Gaza since the last Olympics in Beijing in 2022.
French authorities have implemented anti-terror measures, with 155 people under surveillance, and Israeli competitors are being given extra protection by elite tactical units. World leaders will be in attendance at the opening ceremony, which will be guarded by snipers and closed to air traffic. The vast security operation extends to the Games as well, with radar-surveillance planes, Reaper drones, and fighter jets on standby.
French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that “everything is ready” for the Olympics, but the event also comes at a politically challenging time for him, following a snap legislative election that weakened his position. The high security has also caused some grumbling from locals, with police imposing a security zone along the river and restricting access to certain areas. Nonetheless, the ceremony promises to be a unique and memorable event, with performances and celebrations along the riverbanks and bridges, marking the first time an opening ceremony has been held outside of a stadium.
The artistic team has kept many details secret, including the artists performing and the identity of the final torchbearer. One unknown factor is the weather, as organizers had hoped for a “golden hour” of sunset during the ceremony, but current forecasts predict cloudiness. Nonetheless, with over 10,500 athletes competing and the first gold medal to be awarded on Saturday, the Paris 2024 Olympics are set to be a historic and exciting event.
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