Paris Olympics chief Tony Estanguet stated on Sunday that the city is well-prepared for the Games, dismissing complaints from some residents and businesses about the event’s impact.
“As we enter the final phase, we are ready,” Estanguet said at a press conference in Paris, just five days away from the opening parade next Friday.
He emphasized, “We need to remain vigilant until the closing ceremony, but today we are exactly where we hoped to be a few years ago.”
The venues in Paris are receiving finishing touches, and athletes and officials are arriving in large numbers. The weather has also improved after months of rain.
Additionally, the water quality of the Seine River, where outdoor Olympic swimming events are scheduled, has significantly improved since the beginning of July.
“All signs regarding the Seine River are positive at this point,” Estanguet mentioned.
The river will be the site of the opening ceremony next Friday, where 6,000-7,000 athletes will sail down it on 85 boats and barges.
This will be the first time a Summer Olympics has commenced outside the main stadium, with up to 300,000 ticketed spectators expected to witness the event from stands and river banks, while another 200,000 will watch from overlook apartments.
Estanguet noted that around 4,000 tickets are still available.
“We have always strived for the highest level of ambition to showcase France through these Games,” Estanguet added.
– ‘Disruption’ –
However, the extensive security measures for the opening ceremony have caused some friction, with central Paris and areas around Olympic venues being restricted for most people.
Trade organizations representing Paris establishments have expressed concerns about significant drops in business due to the security measures.
Estanguet explained, “Choosing to host the Games in the city was a conscious decision made for the success of Paris 2024. This was an unprecedented concept for Paris 2024.”
In addition to the central opening ceremony, various sports will be held at temporary venues around Paris, including beach volleyball at the Eiffel Tower, archery at the Invalides, and skateboarding at the Place de la Concorde.
“Some level of disruption and restrictions are inevitable. We endeavored to anticipate these restrictions and communicated them well in advance,” stated Estanguet.
He expressed gratitude to those who understood the necessity of these measures to honor the country in a splendid manner.
– Security –
Approximately 45,000 French security personnel will be on duty on Friday evening when the Olympics commence at 7:30pm (1730 GMT).
“Security was the primary focus for Paris 2024,” Estanguet emphasized.
Cybersecurity is also a major concern, especially after a recent global IT outage that temporarily disrupted the accreditation system used for the Games.
The International Olympic Committee is preparing for disinformation attacks targeting the event, with most Russian athletes banned from competing due to the situation in Ukraine.
Responding to concerns about misinformation campaigns, IOC spokesman Mark Adams stated, “It’s not the first or last time that the IOC will be targeted with misinformation. It’s becoming more sophisticated.”
Adams referred to a fake documentary produced in 2023, titled “Olympics has Fallen,” which used AI-generated audio to impersonate Tom Cruise and erode global support for the Olympics.
Elsewhere, the USA men’s basketball team narrowly escaped defeat to South Sudan in a pre-Olympics game in London. LeBron James scored the winning points in a 101-100 victory at the O2 Arena.
USA coach Steve Kerr commented, “This experience was good for us, to know what to expect in Paris. We must be prepared for teams to play their best against us.”
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