Three days before the start of the 2024 Olympics, France’s interior minister said that around 1,000 people suspected of possible interference on behalf of a foreign power had been barred from attending the event.
This is one of the security challenges that Paris is tackling to ensure the safety of the Games for athletes and fans.
About a million background checks have been conducted on Olympic volunteers, workers and others involved in the Games, as well as those applying for passes to enter Paris’ most tightly controlled security zone – along the banks of the Seine – ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony.
An obstacle to 5000 people
Those checks prevented about 5,000 people from attending, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Tuesday. Among them, “there are 1,000 people we suspect of foreign interference – we can say espionage,” he added.
Gérald Darmanin, who will remain in an interim role until a new government is formed following legislative elections, has repeatedly highlighted suspicions of Russian-backed interference.
“We are here to make sure […] that sport is not used for espionage, cyberattacks or to criticize and sometimes even lie about France and the French,” insisted Minister Darmanin.
He added that “interference and manipulation of information” comes not only from Russia, but also from other countries, which he did not name. Mr. Darmanin also did not provide further information on the alleged interference.
“That’s why we are on alert and we want them to know that we are not naive,” he said.
Others who were barred from participating in the Olympics after background checks were flagged for suspected Islamic radicalization, left-wing or right-wing political extremism, significant criminal records and other security concerns, the interior minister noted.
“We didn’t think it was a good idea for these people to be ushers, volunteers or to accompany teams. [sportives]”Out of 1 million people, 5,000 is not a lot, and it shows the in-depth work of the Ministry of the Interior,” said Gérald Darmanin.
Paris is deploying about 35,000 police officers each day for the Olympics, which will begin this Friday and run through August 11. That number will be increased to 45,000 for the opening ceremony on the Seine. In addition, 10,000 military personnel are taking part in security operations in the Paris region.
France also benefits from aid from more than 40 countries which, together, have sent at least 1,900 police reinforcements.
“Obviously, we are particularly protecting the Ukrainian team, which is obviously facing a considerable threat,” Mr. Darmanin said.
The interior minister had previously mentioned that Israeli athletes would be protected around the clock by the elite police unit of the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), which is responsible for, among other things, the fight against terrorism and the protection of government officials.
Protecting the Olympic Games, a “not easy” task
Gérald Darmanin also took the time to salute the work of tens of thousands of police officers, firefighters, explosives experts, intelligence service agents and private security personnel.
In a handwritten note to those workers, the minister wrote that “the biggest global event any country can host” was “finally” here after four years of preparation. He noted, however, the unprecedented security challenges.
“Your task will not be easy,” Mr. Darmanin said in a letter published Monday evening on the social network X, formerly Twitter.
Paris has repeatedly suffered deadly extremist attacks and international tensions are high due to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Olympic organizers are also concerned about cyberattacks, while human rights activists and critics of the Games worry about Paris’ use of surveillance technology powered by artificial intelligence. They also worry that the scope and scale of Olympic security will remain in place beyond the Olympics.
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.
“I am counting on each of you to present the most beautiful face of France, a benevolent, friendly and professional face,” Darmanin said. “The eyes of the world will be turned towards you.”
Rather than building an Olympic park with venues clustered outside the city centre, as in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 or London in 2012, Paris has chosen to host many events in the heart of the bustling capital of two million people. Others will be held in the suburbs, home to millions more.
The installation of temporary sports arenas in public spaces and the organization of the opening ceremony along the Seine make these protections more complex.