Paris 2024: Macron, ‘plan B for opening ceremony in case of security risks’
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that there is a “plan B”, even a “plan C” for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games (from 26 July to 11 August) in case of security-related concerns about its conduct. If there is a threat, the opening ceremony will be “limited to the Trocadero” or even the Stade de Francesaid the head of the Elysée interviewed by Bfmtv.
Parade currently planned along the Seine, it would be the first time an Olympic ceremony takes place outside a facility. “We will have means of the information and intelligence services totally mobilized – explained Emmanuel Macron – we will establish an entire security perimeter around the ceremony from the previous days, even weeks” and “the police forces will be mobilized at an exceptional level “.
”We will do a real-time analysis” of the risks, he assured, explaining that ”intelligence resources” they will be ”mobility” and that a ”security perimeter days in advance”.
The organizers had initially thought of an opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics that would have welcomed 600,000 peoplemost of them free on the banks of the river, but logistical and security problems have led the government to progressively scale back its ambitions. In recent months the number of spectators has been halved and access will be by invitation only.
Paris 2024: Macron, ‘Israeli and non-Russian athletes? Israel is defending itself
”We cannot say that Israel is attacking. Israel was the victim of a terrorist attack and he is defending himself, responding”. Thus, in an interview with Bfmtv, the French president Emmanuel Macron commented on the decision to welcome Israeli athletes to the Paris 2024 Olympics and not Russian ones, unless under neutral flags. The difference between Russia and Israel, said the head of the Elysée, ”is very different”.