France has requested its overseas partners to deploy a significant number of their security personnel to assist in safeguarding the Paris Olympics, as announced by officials on Thursday. This highlights the pressures resulting from the upcoming athletic event, which commences in July.
France requires assistance from other nations to ensure the security of its athletes
“Numerous foreign nations will assist in specific crucial domains, such as enhancing our dog-handling capabilities, where there is a significant demand,” an anonymous official from the defense ministry informed AFP.
The official did not specify the precise number of foreign soldiers on French soil. However, Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has officially stated that Poland will participate in an international coalition led by France for the Olympic Games.
According to a spokesperson from the French interior ministry, Paris has requested 46 allies to contribute 2,185 police reinforcements.
Both officials downplayed the importance of the appeals for international aid.
According to an anonymous interior ministry official, the decision made by host countries to prioritize the organization of important events is a customary action.
According to the official, during the rugby World Cup in France last year, European allies deployed 160 police officers to assist with security. Spectators directly observed some of these policemen conducting patrols on the streets.
France’s domestic forces are facing significant challenges in ensuring the security of the Paris Olympics. This is evident from the recent attack on a concert hall in Moscow, which was claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group. This incident highlights the high level of importance involved.
On Monday, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal assured reporters that the terrorist threat is genuine and formidable. He further stated that two conspiracies orchestrated by suspected Islamic extremists have already been foiled within the current year.
Government data indicate that a maximum of 45,000 French police and gendarmes will be deployed daily during the Olympics, with an additional 18,000 troops also anticipated to be recruited.
An additional 18,000-22,000 private security personnel will be deployed on-site throughout the Games from July 26 to August 11.
The French interior ministry official stated that the request for foreign assistance was made to enhance the viewers’ experience, address the capacity challenge of the Games, and strengthen international cooperation.
The Olympic Games have been attacked in previous instances, notably in Munich in 1972 and Atlanta in 1996. These attacks were particularly notable due to the presence of numerous athletes, large crowds, and a live global television audience, which rendered the Olympics vulnerable to such attacks.
The decision made by French organizers to hold the opening ceremony outside the athletics stadium for the first time has been subject to ongoing scrutiny.
Athletes are scheduled to navigate the river Seine in a group of boats as part of a specialized television spectacle. Some security officials have opposed the choice due to the difficulties it poses for the police.
The attendance for the ceremony has been considerably diminished, with approximately 326,000 individuals expected to attend with tickets. At the same time, hundreds of thousands are projected to be on the streets or observing from windows that offer a view of the waterway.
According to the Interior Ministry, the French security services are conducting screenings on a potential population of one million individuals before the Games. This includes both athletes and individuals residing near critical infrastructure.
Following the attack in Moscow, France was placed on its highest terror alert on Sunday.
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