PARIS (AP) — The 2024 Olympics are facing challenges in Paris, with incidents of suspected sabotage targeting France’s flagship high-speed rail network, as well as cloudy skies and forecasted rains ahead of its elaborate, ambitious opening ceremony.
Camping out for the opening ceremony
Prior to the opening ceremony, spectators arrived early along the Seine River to secure the best viewing spots. Some brought chairs, books, snacks, and water.
Monica Merino, 57, traveled from Madrid to Paris for the Olympics and expressed excitement about experiencing the opening ceremony in person for the first time.
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“We have visited Paris many times, and it is very different now because it is empty of people and full of military and police,” she said.
Giannis skirts train troubles
Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo prepares for a FIBA Olympic Qualifying basketball final against Croatia, at the Peace and Friendship stadium, at Athens’ port city of Piraeus, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Greek basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo, chosen as one of his country’s flagbearers, managed to avoid the train issues on Friday.
He departed from Lille on Thursday, traveling in a convoy of buses with players from other teams. Multiple teams opted for a joint bus trip for security reasons.
Germany’s men’s team, not planning to use the train, boarded buses on Friday morning for the ceremony. The team intended to return to Lille immediately for Saturday’s game against Japan.
The Paris Olympics have sold a record 9.7 million tickets — with more available
Despite a slow start last year, organizers of the 2024 Paris Olympics announced record ticket sales. Out of 10 million tickets, 9.7 million were sold or allocated for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, leaving room for more tickets to be sold.
Out of the total, 8.7 million tickets were sold for the Olympics, and 1 million for the Paralympics. Despite the popularity of the events, there are still many seats available due to the unprecedented scale of this year’s competitions.
The ticketing figures are expected to increase as tickets for some of the 45 sports are still on sale.
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Snoop Dogg keeps it lit
The rapper-turned-NBC Olympics correspondent participated as one of the final Olympic torch bearers before the opening ceremony, carrying the flame in Saint-Denis, just outside Paris.
Prior to his torch-bearing leg, Snoop Dogg promised to act with grace: “I’m going to be on my best behavior. I’ll be able to breathe slow to walk fast and hold the torch with a smile on my face, because I realize how prestigious this event is,” he said.
Two trains carrying Olympic athletes stopped en route to Paris
Two trains transporting Olympic athletes to Paris on the western Atlantique line were halted hours before the opening ceremony, according to rail company SNCF.
One train was canceled, and authorities are working to restore service on the other train.
How to watch the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony
Passengers in a taxi film themselves leaving the Eiffel Tower, adorned with Olympic rings ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
The ceremony can be viewed on NBC and streamed on Peacock and NBC Olympic platforms — NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, NBC app, NBC Olympics app.
A preview will air on NBC at noon EDT, followed by live coverage starting at 1:30 p.m., and a prime-time encore at 7:30 p.m.
About 220,000 invited spectators along with security-screened viewers are expected at the Seine’s banks and Trocadéro plaza, and an additional 104,000 paying spectators will watch the ceremony from the lower riverside. Those without tickets can watch the ceremony on screens set up across the city.
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Who will light the Olympic cauldron?
As of hours before the opening ceremony, even the chosen individual did not know they had been selected, according to the Paris Games chief organizer.
Tony Estanguet, speaking on France Inter radio on Friday morning, revealed that only he knew the identity of the torchbearer to maintain secrecy, and that the individual was still unaware of their selection.
“I really waited until today. I plan to tell the last carrier (of the Olympic torch) today, to try to maintain this confidentiality,” he said.
Viewing areas along the Seine River prepared for Olympic fans
Security officials received the final instructions before the opening ceremony for one of the Seine River viewing areas.
As police boats patrolled the river, Olympic staff and volunteers placed small flags of participating countries on each seat for fans to cheer athletes as they parade on boats.
Paris resident Linnett Hernandez Valdes, readying her food truck for visitors, acknowledged the heightened security due to the magnitude of the event. Despite the train sabotage, she expressed no fear of any incidents during the ceremony.
“I don’t have any fear that something could happen,” she said, grateful to be present at the ceremony and looking forward to the experience.
Paris Olympics proceed with the opening ceremony despite challenges
The Paris Olympics are facing a rough start.
In addition to suspected sabotage of France’s high-speed rail network, the French capital faced gloomy weather and impending rains leading up to the grand opening ceremony.
On this significant day, with numerous world leaders in attendance and a global audience expected to surpass 1 billion viewers, authorities are working to address the rail disruptions caused by overnight sabotage of high-speed train lines.
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French train service gradually returning to normal
France’s Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete mentioned that train services are resuming, particularly on the Atlantique high-speed line that was significantly impacted by the sabotage.
“At Montparnasse station and Bordeaux station, which were the most affected, we should find one in three trains running this afternoon,” he stated. “Things are already improving.”
Rail workers thwarted suspected sabotage attempt
Jean-Pierre Farandou, CEO of SNCF, mentioned that railway workers prevented a suspected sabotage attempt along the South-East line.
During the night shift, workers spotted intruders and alerted the authorities, leading to a prompt response. Farandou expressed gratitude to the railway workers for their vigilance.
Repairs are underway as police investigate the incidents and search for the perpetrators.
Farandou emphasized the challenge of ensuring security along all railway tracks due to the scale of the disruptions.
French PM condemns railway attacks
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal characterized the acts of sabotage and arson on France’s rail network as having the clear intent of disrupting the high-speed train network.
He denounced the vandals’ focus on key rail routes leading toward Paris, especially on the day of the Olympics’ opening ceremony, and indicated substantial inconveniences for travelers.
Eurostar cancels trains as disruptions continue
Eurostar has announced the cancellation of one in four trains over the weekend, with all high-speed trains redirected, resulting in extended travel times.
The rail network anticipates the situation to persist until Monday morning, impacting travel between France, Belgium, and Germany.
Rail workers assess damage to tracks
Footage from BFM television shows rail workers examining cut and burned cables along the train tracks in Croisilles, a village in northern France where one of the sabotage incidents occurred.
Police are conducting forensic analyses and investigations at the crime scenes to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Train disruptions affect France-Germany routes
Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway operator, reported short-notice cancellations and delays on trains between France and Germany due to the disruptions.
In Berlin, the German government condemned the acts, expressing solidarity with France and efforts to address the situation swiftly.
Passengers adapt to delays
Despite delays and cancellations, passengers departing from London via Eurostar remained optimistic about their journeys to Paris amid the rail network challenges.
Travelers acknowledged the impact of the disruptions and prepared for longer travel times, understanding the unique circumstances surrounding the day of the Olympics’ opening.
French prosecutor’s office initiates investigations
The Paris prosecutor’s office launched an investigation into the rail arson incidents, citing the severity of the crimes and their potential threat to national interests.
The office highlighted the seriousness of the charges, emphasizing the gravity and consequences of such actions.
German showjumpers miss opening ceremony
Due to significant delays, two German showjumpers en route to Paris for the opening ceremony had to turn back in Belgium and will miss the event.
Rider Philipp Weishaupt expressed disappointment at missing the ceremony due to the unavoidable delays.
Travelers recount challenges
Passengers, including Maiwenn Labbé-Sorin, shared experiences of being stranded on trains without basic amenities due to the disruptions.
Several travelers expressed frustration and concern about the impact of the delays on their journeys, highlighting the challenges posed by the unexpected events.
Challenges mount for Paris-bound travelers
As travelers navigated delays and cancellations, many expressed understanding of the situation, adapting to the circumstances to ensure safe and successful travel.
Despite the disruptions, passengers remained resilient and hopeful for smoother journeys as the rail networks work to restore normal operations.
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