Paris Olympics 2024: Concern over a drone attack at the opening ceremony and a lack of police officers | Israel Hayom

Many concerns continue to cast a shadow over preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games, with concerns expressed over security issues and a lack of police available for the opening ceremony. 

Organizers have planned an ambitious six-kilometer spectacle involving athletes sailing along the Seine River in boats to open the Olympics on July 26, 2024. Some 600,000 people are expected to watch the ceremony in the French capital, which will require a major security operation. 

According to a police source quoted in a report by the French news agency AFP, there is a fear that it will not be possible to secure the required amount of "almost 7,000 police officers" for the opening ceremony, in addition to the lack of 24,000 private security guards required for the existence of this event. 

The report claims that while Paris 2024 hopes that spectators will line the entire route for the opening ceremony, police are pushing for only ticket holders to be able to attend the precincts along the Seine. 

Concerns were also expressed about a drone attack, when a source in the French government told the French news agency "we are not prepared at all", and that "if a drone drops grenades on the crowds below, we don't know how to neutralize them". 

The French newspaper Le Canard enchaîné also revealed details of a 76-page secret report from the country's Supreme Audit Institution, which states that it is "must" to increase security preparations for the games, detailing deficiencies in areas including hospital capacity, public safety and risks of terrorist and cyber attacks. 

The Paris 2024 organizing committee told AFP: "We are aware of the security challenges raised by the organization of the Olympic Games and we are working closely with all the services concerned." 

Chaotic scenes at the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Paris 2024 venue, Stade de France in May, raised questions about the security component of preparations for the Olympics and Paralympic Games. 

A report by the French Senate earlier this month acknowledged that the events at the game served as a "warning shot" and the government and relevant bodies would be required to "learn the necessary lessons" with the country due to host the Rugby World Cup next year, followed by the Olympics in 2024. 

French authorities and police were heavily criticized after the Champions League final for their handling of the match, including the indiscriminate use of pepper spray on fans as they lined up to enter the stadium. 

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