Paris, July 21, 2024 — With just five days remaining until the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, reassured the public of the city’s preparedness for the international event.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Estanguet emphasized that Paris is “ready” and in a strong position as the Games approach. He acknowledged ongoing concerns from some residents and businesses but stressed that the city is well-positioned for a successful event.
“We are ready as we head into the final phase,” Estanguet stated. “For as long as the closing ceremony hasn’t finished, we need to remain vigilant. But today we are exactly where we would have dreamed of being a few years ago.”
The final touches are being applied to the venues scattered across the City of Light, with thousands of athletes and officials arriving as the weather improves after a period of rain. Notably, the quality of the River Seine, which will be central to the opening ceremony and host outdoor swimming events, has seen significant improvement since early July.
“All the indicators for the Seine are positive at this stage,” Estanguet confirmed. The river will feature prominently in the opening ceremony, with an anticipated 6,000-7,000 athletes parading on 85 barges and boats.
This marks the first time a Summer Olympics opening will occur outside the primary athletics stadium. The event is expected to attract up to 300,000 ticketed spectators along the riverbanks, with an additional 200,000 viewing from nearby apartments.
Despite the excitement, some local businesses and residents are expressing frustration over the extensive security measures and resultant disruptions. Trade groups representing Paris’s shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs reported a significant drop in business and foot traffic, attributing the slump to the heightened security around Olympic venues and the riverbanks.
“It was always a choice made in full conscience that the success of Paris 2024 would mean having the Games in the city,” Estanguet explained. “That was the completely unprecedented concept for Paris 2024.”
The opening ceremony will be accompanied by a massive security operation, with around 45,000 French security personnel deployed to ensure safety. Cybersecurity remains a critical concern as well, particularly following a recent global IT outage linked to an update to CrowdStrike software, which temporarily disrupted the Games’ accreditation system.
The International Olympic Committee is also preparing for potential disinformation attacks targeting the Paris Games, an issue heightened by recent tensions involving Russia.
“Security was the number one priority for Paris 2024,” Estanguet stated. The concerns about cybersecurity and physical security reflect the broader context of geopolitical tensions affecting the Games. The IOC has been vigilant in countering potential threats, especially in light of recent global incidents attributed to Russia.
In a related development, the Paris 2024 Games have also sparked political controversy. Yonathan Arfi, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF), criticized a radical left MP, Thomas Portes, for comments suggesting that Israeli athletes should not participate in the Games due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Arfi condemned Portes’ remarks as detrimental and dangerous, noting the historical context of Olympic athletes facing threats.
“Israeli sportspeople are not welcome at the Paris Olympic Games,” Portes had said during a rally supporting Palestinians. His comments reflect the broader political tensions influencing the Olympics, with opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza being a notable theme in recent political discourse.
The Games are set to commence on Friday, July 26, with the opening ceremony at 7:30 pm local time. As Paris readies itself for the spotlight, the city’s blend of anticipation, security concerns, and political undercurrents underscores the complex dynamics at play in this year’s Olympics.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
