Los Paris Olympic Games They are preparing to offer a magnificent show, although in recent weeks an alarm has gone off, as security fears have multiplied. Last January, It was estimated that the number of spectators who were going to witness the opening ceremony was 600,000 and according to the latest reports that number was reduced to 320,000.
Tourists were originally encouraged to be part of this party for free, as they would be able to watch the big party from the banks of the Seine River, however the French authorities revoked that proposal due to security concerns. On March 24, France raised its security alert to its highest level following the attack on a concert hall in Moscow, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility. French President Emmanuel Macron explained that the ceremony could be held at the Stade de France if the security threat is deemed too high.
Security and means of transportation are the issues of greatest concern as the Games approach, which will be held between July 26 and August 11. Around 30,000 police officers will be mobilized every day, and 45,000 will work during the opening ceremony.
With its own resources stretched to the limit, France has asked 46 countries to provide 2,200 additional officers, many of whom will be armed. France’s Defense Ministry has asked foreign nations to assign a small number of military personnel, including sniffer dogs.
Tony Estanguet, the head of the Paris Games organizing committee, noted that the security measures are unprecedented: “France has never mobilized so many security resources. “I have faith that the security services in our country will allow the Games to be safe.”
There will be more cameras in the city, but facial recognition technology will not be used. Until now, 120 heads of state have confirmed their presence at the opening ceremony. Setting it up outside a stadium means more exposure to the athletes as they parade in 84 boats on the Seine, covering a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) route to the Eiffel Tower, with 20,000 apartment residents able to see the ceremony. After overcoming multiple security cordons, those who paid to see will do so from the lowest part of the banks. The highest places will be able to do so for free through invitations. An area around the Seine will be closed to traffic in the week before the parade and airspace will be closed on the night of the ceremony, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said.
The transports
Other points that will be under the microscope will be transportation, even because it is believed that traveling through Paris could be chaos. Some of the city’s 2.1 million residents plan to go on trips during the two weeks, while motorists have been angered by the proposal that requires them to apply online for a QR code to access areas with traffic restrictions.
Furthermore, the authorities are attentive because they fear strikes by the railway unions. The Parisian transport network will have to deal with between 600,000 and 800,000 Olympic visitors per day. The largest railway company SNCF blocked the sale of July 26 tickets to and from three major terminals near the Seine. The Gare de Lyon – the largest in France – Paris-Bercy and Austerlitz. Subway prices will rise from 2.10 euros ($2.30) to 4 euros ($4.30) for a single ticket and a block of ten tickets will rise from 16.90 euros ($18.30) to 32 euros ($34.60).
Problems with accommodations
The Olympic Village will house more than 14,0000 athletes and other companions, with apartments with a maximum capacity of eight people. However, viewers and tourists were met with an increase in hotel and Airbnb prices that impressed everyone. The Paris region has the largest concentration of hotels in France, with 160,000 rooms. If you add apartment rentals and other options, the region has 260,000 rooms for the Games.
Although some hotels tripled prices, Airbnb’s offer forced those increases to be reversed. The average price of a night fell from about 760 euros ($825) to 520 euros ($565), still well above last July’s average price of 200 euros ($220).