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Safety concerns mar Paris Olympics opening day

todayJuly 26, 2024 116

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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.”

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.

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.

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.

Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris

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