Security concerns in Paris ahead of the Olympics 2024 opening ceremony tonight – has been thrust into the spotlight again.
This is after arsonists carried out attacks on France’s high-speed train network, causing major travel disruption and the French airport has now been evacuated and closed.
The city’s rail network was paralysed with most of its high-speed train services affected hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
France’s Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, took to X, slamming the incident as acts of sabotage, which were carried out in a prepared and coordinated manner.
He says they’ve caused ‘massive and serious impacts on the rail network.
“Our intelligence services and law enforcement are mobilised to find and punish the perpetrators of these criminal acts.”
π«π·ππ₯ Arsonists have targeted France’s high-speed rail lines, bringing the country to a standstill on the day of the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal confirmed the “acts of sabotage” while rail company SNCF said it had been a “massiveβ¦ pic.twitter.com/yP2Ux8IW5u
β Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) July 26, 2024
French rail operator, SNCF, says three night-time arson attacks have destroyed cabling boxes at strategic junctions around its network at locations north, south-west and east of Paris.
A fourth attempted act of vandalism south-east of the capital was stopped by rail workers who spotted intruders in the early hours of today.
Due to the attack on the railway system, several trains between Paris and London were cancelled, which is likely to affect British sports fans heading to the French capital.
The opening ceremony is set to take place this evening, in a unique and unprecedented ceremony on the River Seine, where more than 10 000 athletes will be cruising on boats through the river.
The parade will see up to 7 500 competitors sail down a six-kilometre stretch of the Seine on a flotilla of 85 boats.
Besides the railway attack, there have also been reports of athletes being robbed and some attacked.
The Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg airport on French and Swiss territory had to be evacuated and closed for ‘safety reasons’ earlier.
βΌοΈπBOMB THREAT IN AIRPORT πβΌοΈ
Authorities announce the evacuation of the Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg airport, near the border of #France and #Switzerland, for “security reasons”, hours before the start of the first day of the games Olympics in #Paris2024
Good luck Paris pic.twitter.com/Q0KU4APxh7
β Elly ποΈIsrael Hamas War Updates (@elly_bar) July 26, 2024
A total of 45 000 police officers will be used during the games, along with 18 000 military personnel and around 20 000 people from private security firms.
Commenting on the rail disruption, which will affect 800 000 people over the weekend, the International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach, told the media that he had no concerns and preparations were going well.
However, despite all the disruptions, the excitement can be seen across social media for the games by people across the world.
The line-up of performers for tonight’s opening event has been a closely guarded secret.
However, there are rumours that US pop star, Lady Gaga, and French-Malian singer, Aya Nakamura, could be part of it.
US rappers, Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams, have also been in Paris for the torch relay.
Snoop Dogg and the Olympic torch for #Paris2024! π€© pic.twitter.com/VfiCXtAtG9
β SuperSport π (@SuperSportTV) July 26, 2024
Louis Vuitton Menβs Creative Director Pharrell Williams carries the Olympic Flame to the top of the Saint-Denis Basilica and places it in a Louis Vuitton trunk #Paris2024 #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/LbkiHg5dRZ
β Louis Pisano (@LouisPisano) July 26, 2024
It has been an unforgettable experience to arrive at the Athlete’s Village with the Olympic torch πβ₯οΈ #Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/9pPMUIYEm8
β Pau Gasol (@paugasol) July 26, 2024
Happy Olympics Day, everyone! The culture and history of Paris will be displayed so lusciously in the Opening Ceremony along the Seine! #Paris2024
β Joshua Fagan (@TheJoshuaAFagan) July 26, 2024
so, what do you think? Are the rumors true about Celineβs performance? I hope they are. I am certainly looking forward to the start of the Olympic Games in Paris! #CelineDion #IAmCelineDion #olimpiadi2024 #Paris2024
β Adna Orascanin (@AdnaOrascanin) July 26, 2024
SA star Tyla also left tongues wagging, with her performance at the Prelude to the Olympics, which is a star-studded sports-themed event.
The 22-year-old Grammy and BET award winner, with two dancers, surprised guests with her performances of Thata Ahh, Jump, and her signature hit song, Water.
There have also been many best wishes for Team SA across social media.
Gymnast, Caitlin Rooskrantz, will carry the flag at the opening ceremony alongside sprinter, Akani Simbine.
π¦ Let’s go Team SA! Best of luck at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games! πΏπ¦ Bring home the GOLD! #Paris2024 #LionsPrideπ¦ pic.twitter.com/rFiDjKw6h5
β Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) July 26, 2024
Webber Wentzel is behind Team SA all the way as they take on the world at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games!
To the athletes flying the flag for South Africa, we wish you all the best. Bring it home, Team SA! π₯π₯π₯#Paris2024 #TeamSA #Olympics pic.twitter.com/IHzxFKsOvW
β Webber Wentzel (@webberwentzel) July 26, 2024
ActionSA and South Africa stand behind Team SA as they make their mark at the #Paris2024 Olympics. Go make your dreams come true, and show the world what youβre made of! #CelebratingExcellence pic.twitter.com/wez2FwdVze
β ActionSA Gauteng (@ActionSA_GP) July 26, 2024
Still on that tip of wishing our SA Team best wishes as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics. We just want to see more Gold Medals π₯
#SamsungVoicesUnited #AD #Openalwayswins @SamsungMobileSAβ ππππ‘ (@alexsithole) July 25, 2024
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