The Olympic president running the event told Sky News that plans for the ambitious Paris opening ceremony could be scaled back further due to security concerns.
But Olympics chief executive Christophe Dube insisted they wanted to preserve the stunning and unique display of athletes on the Seine while not risking their safety.
Dube was speaking as the French government ordered new restrictions on crowds at the big concert on July 26 – with tickets no longer available to the public for free but by invitation only.
“You can adapt according to the level of risk,” Dube told Sky News. Paris 2024 Headquarters.
“So depending on the nature of the threat, of course that threat can be reduced if necessary… and that was addressing a fundamental question, which is 'Can we return to another location, for example, a stadium somewhere?'
“You can't plan a Plan B. It's too big, too complex, too technically complex to look at a Plan B in another location. A Plan B shrinks and adapts, but it is that location.”
Even with the reduced number of attendees, the Paris opening ceremony will not be like any before it.
What could an opening ceremony look like? Photo: Paris 2024
There will still be more than 300,000 spectators officially from the Seine bank and thousands more on the balconies to catch a glimpse of the 94 boats sending thousands of athletes down the river.
There will be an unprecedented 150km closure of airports and airspace throughout the ceremony.
The International Olympic Committee used to avoid talking about alternative plans until the outbreak of the epidemic The Tokyo Games have been postponed until 2021.
“It showed the world that it's better to have a backup plan and a lot of determination,” Dube said.
Global conflicts and geopolitical tensions have increased the threat – on the ground, online, and from the sky.
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Security concerns about the Paris Olympics
“Drones can currently be used as weapons, of course, and there is a whole plan developed by the ministry that is very sophisticated to meet this challenge,” Dube said.
“But also what the people who are with us this morning are doing is leaving no stone unturned and looking everywhere for a threat. That's what security planning is all about.”
Dube was speaking after the last meeting of the International Olympic Committee's coordination committee before the Games.
Sky News was given exclusive access to part of the committee's board meeting, which includes representatives of the IOC, athletes, male and female athletes and the local organizing committee.
“There's still a lot of work to do,” was an early message from one official to the group.
While there is only the Aquatics Center yet to open, final planning included a tour of the Olympic Village to check out where the athletes will be staying and keep a close eye on those security plans.
What could an opening ceremony look like? Photo: Paris 2024
Dube confirmed to Sky News that “safety and security” are “the first in any of the talks.”
“The cyber environment in the world for any person… has become very critical,” he said.
“Are we planning for cybersecurity? Certainly. Is it at the level of the organizing committee and the return to the relevant country? Certainly.”
The charged geopolitical climate increases the risks.
Russia is upset about this Forbidden from competing as a team In Paris after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, although some of its athletes can compete as neutrals.
There will be Israeli – and perhaps Palestinian – competitors as well. The conflict between Israel and Hamas is expected to exacerbate tensions surrounding the Games.
An Israeli swimmer was subjected to boos from the crowd during the World Aquatics Championships held in Qatar last month after winning the silver medal.
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There are greater freedoms of activity now at the Olympics, but the IOC is hoping for a sporting celebration rather than an event that sparks more divisions.
“The Games represent the international community coming together as one,” Dube said.
“As much as possible, give a message of unity and peace that could overwhelm any other message.”
