France suffered a wave of deadly attacks linked to the so-called Islamic State in 2015-2016, targeting the Bataclan theater and other public places, and the country has seen occasional acts of extremist violence in the years since.
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President Emmanuel Macron is understood to have demanded a reduction in capacity at the request of his security services, after upsetting organizers in December when he said they should consider alternatives. Sources familiar with the planning believe that the Stade de France, originally built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, is likely to host the event if there is a forced change.
“You are 15 days away from the Olympics. There are a series of terrorist attacks. What are you doing? Well, you are not organizing [a ceremony] “On the Seine,” Macron said in December. “Of course, being professionals, there are plans B, C and so on. You have to be prepared for anything. If there is an increase in international or regional tensions, if there is a series of attacks…this is plan B.”
An Australian Olympic Committee spokesperson said ensuring a safe and secure environment was always a top priority so athletes could focus on their preparation and performance.
“The French authorities have developed comprehensive security arrangements, and we have every confidence that our hosts will provide a safe environment for our team and Australian fans,” the spokesman said. “The French have a lot of experience in hosting major events.”
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Tickets for the concert have been on sale since November, with some costing thousands of euros. Thousands of free tickets originally intended for the public and tourists will now be allocated through quotas to residents of towns or regions hosting Olympic events, local sports federations, and others chosen by organizers or their partners, according to officials from the Interior Ministry.
Of the 300,000 spectators, 104,000 will be paying ticket holders in venues along the lower river banks, with another 222,000 watching the match for free from the upper banks, Darmanin said.
The concert's security perimeter, which covers much of central Paris, will be closed days before the Games, and entry will be limited to ticket holders and people who live or work in the area, who will have QR codes to enter.
Paris authorities are also discussing whether to order inspections of balconies and railings in thousands of buildings lining the river amid warnings that they could collapse under the weight of onlookers.
Police announced earlier this week that they would test the controversial AI-powered cameras at two upcoming Depeche Mode concerts in Paris, ahead of their planned use for security at the Games.
Six cameras in and around Accor Arena will analyze crowd movements in the months leading up to the Games to identify abnormal or dangerous activities.
– With AP
