Paris Braces for Olympics with Massive Troop Deployment

As Paris gears up for the Olympics, a historic 75,000-strong security force ensures safety amid political tensions and unprecedented challenges.

Paris is transforming into a fortress as it prepares for a spectacular river-based Olympic opening ceremony. With 75,000 police, soldiers, and guards on high alert, the city is enforcing an unprecedented security operation, the largest peacetime deployment in French history. QR code checkpoints, road closures, and armed patrols dominate the streets, creating a tense atmosphere. Despite these measures, tourists and locals face significant disruptions, turning the city into a maze of barriers and checkpoints.

President Emmanuel Macron, undeterred by recent political upheavals, confidently announced, “We are ready.” This grand security effort aims to prevent any potential threats, including militarized terrorism and cyber-attacks. The Olympic security operation draws from France’s decade-old Opération Sentinelle, which was launched in response to Islamist attacks.

Gen Lionel Catar, overseeing 5,500 troops, emphasized the extraordinary scale of this operation. Anti-drone systems, radars, demining teams, and divers are all part of the intricate security web surrounding the River Seine. The operational headquarters has been strategically relocated to the École Militaire, advised by UK police based on their 2012 London Olympics experience.

International collaboration is a key element, with 1,750 foreign police officers, including contingents from the UK, Spain, Germany, South Korea, and Qatar, contributing to the effort. Chief Superintendent Matt Lawler of the UK’s National Police Coordination Centre noted the unprecedented deployment of British officers to assist with the Games.

Amid these preparations, there have been arrests and rehearsals to counter potential threats. French police detained a Russian man accused of planning to destabilize the Games, while elite units simulated hostage rescue scenarios to ensure readiness.

Despite the intense security, the French government faces accusations of fear-mongering from a Kremlin-backed disinformation campaign. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin stressed vigilance against such interference, hoping for an “Olympic truce” to be honored globally.

As the opening ceremony nears, Paris stands as a city on edge, balancing between the promise of a spectacular event and the looming specter of potential threats. The world watches, eager yet anxious, as Paris showcases its resilience and readiness on the global stage.