France ramps up efforts to make Paris 'safest' Olympics host

By Nazli Yuzbasioglu

PARIS (AA) - France's ambassador for sports said they want the 2024 Paris Olympic Games "to be wide open."

Speaking to reporters during a joint press visit with the EU Delegation to Türkiye hosted by the French Foreign Ministry on work in Paris, which is preparing to host 16 million tourists, Samuel Ducroquet said they will take the highest level of precautions against the risk of terrorism.

The 33rd Summer Olympic Games is due to be held in Paris from July 26 to Aug. 11.

On opening day, boats carrying around 15,000 athletes will set off from under the Tolbiac Bridge and parade for 6.2 kilometers (3.7 miles) along the River Seine to the Eiffel Tower and the Jena Bridge.

- 'Paris will be safest place in France on opening day'

Ducroquet said that they "are expecting around 120 heads of state, heads of government on July 26."

Adding that 24,000 special forces, 35,000 police officers, and 18,000 soldiers will be on duty, he said: "As the president said recently, Paris will be the safest place in France on the opening day of the ceremonies."

On the protection of heads of state and high-level officials coming to Paris, Ducroquet underlined that the host countries are responsible for politicians participating in the events.

He indicated they would make threat assessments and do what is necessary.

Saying that there will be only 320,000 spectators in the area where the opening ceremonies will be held, he explained that a QR code app will be used to control entrances and exits.

Stressing that they also prioritize sustainability in the Olympic Games, Ducroquet said 95% of the facilities to be used are existing facilities.

He underscored that the Olympic Village, which was built with low-carbon, environmentally friendly buildings, is an exemplary model with its renewable energy use and zero waste policy and will be used as a home and office after the games are over.

Stressing that the pollution in the River Seine has been cleaned up 75%, Ducroquet said after the Games, certain swimming areas will remain in Paris on the banks of the river.

On President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to swim in the Seine to show that the river is clean, Ducroquet said: "He said he would. I trust he will, but we don't know yet when."

“I'm sure that if he goes, he will be accompanied by quite few other volunteers," he added.

Ducroquet said prize-winning athletes will be able to take a piece of Paris with them and small pieces of the Eiffel Tower will be placed in the gold, silver, and bronze medals.

On the dances and shows to be performed at the ceremony, he underlined that the choreography was kept secret and that very few people know about it.

Ducroquet said gender equality was also taken into consideration in the Games and that significant progress was made with 48.8% female athlete participation at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Paris Games have reached the goal of full equality, with 50% female and 50% male athletes, he said.

*Writing by Serdar Dincel from Istanbul