5 months ago
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FRANCE has splashed a whopping £350million on their tight-knit security operations ahead of the Olympics.
Made up of 75,000 cops, security agents and French soldiers, missile systems, SAS-style units and war barracks, Paris 2024 is set to be the largest-ever peace deployment in the country’s history.
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A French soldier seen patrolling the Seine with anti-drone weapons
Soldiers take place in close combat training at a military camp set up for the Paris Olympic Games
The formidable security team are now deployed across the capital amid a number of serious safety breaches and threats towards the Games.
One of the biggest reasons for the mammoth security op is the looming possibility of a terror attack at the opening ceremony this Friday.
France’s Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, has already briefed officials saying “the terrorist threat remains high”.
A huge 350,000 spectators are set to watch the historic show taking place along the River Seine – including international diplomats and celebrity guests.
We’re focused and we’re ready
General Lionel CatarGérald, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and other security experts, have assured people that “a high level of vigilance” will be in place throughout the Games.
Paris has managed to prepare for the terror possibility by stationing their fearless soldiers in SAS-style units alongside surface-to-air missiles.
The mobile weapons systems include 12 impressive Crotale New Generation short-range air defence missile units.
It was revealed back in March that the French authorities had requested a number of Crotale systems from the Hellenic Air Force in Greece.
The missiles used have a range of around seven miles and can stop a target in its tracks at a speed of Mach 3.5 – three-and-a-half times the speed of sound.
Developed by France, the defensive powerhouses are specifically designed to protect areas from airborne threats.
A no-fly-zone has already been declared across greater Paris preventing any aircraft from flying overhead during a 12-hour period on Friday.
An additional four Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) aircraft will also be seen in the capital to focus on air policing.
Commanders at France’s second biggest Airforce base, Avord, in the south of Paris, have vowed to form an “air protection bubble” around the four-hour opening ceremony.
France‘s elite National Gendarmerie Intervention Group will also set up in strategic positions along the Seine with rooftop snipers and rapid intervention teams riding helicopters.
General Lionel Catar, one of the military planners overseeing the huge operation, has told the world watching on: “We’re focused and we’re ready.”
Laurent Nunez, the Paris Police Prefect, added: “We have a robust operation in place, and it’s ready.”
During London 2012 similar air defence system were set up consisting of six stations in and around the capital.
Additional measures saw teams of divers drafted into the Seine on Thursday morning as they sweep the iconic river for explosives.
The defence systems are set to be on hand throughout the event to keep the 15 million visitors and 10,500 Olympic Games competitors safe.
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Paris 2024 is set to become the most guarded Games ever with drones, helicopters and a huge increase in AI surveillance all deployed after months of growing safety concerns.
Organisers are preparing for all possibilities during the event with terrorist attacks and protests all looming over the Games.
Paris has been rocked following the recent election chaos that saw tens of thousands of riot cops battling with opposing political supporters.
Political candidates and activists were attacked in the streets with cars and buildings set alight after the country’s most divisive vote ever.
Terrorist outfit ISIS has already threatened chilling attacks on the Olympics.
The death cult posted a propaganda poster showing one of its terrorists seemingly flying an “armed drone” to attack the iconic Eiffel Tower.
BELT OF STEEL
UNLIKE other Olympics, several of the competitions will take place in close proximity to iconic sites in the city centre such as the Eiffel Tower.
This poses significant security problems due to the huge number of people in small areas not designed to hold so many spectators.
Due to these potential issues, extra caution will be placed on the opening ceremony on July 26 – taking place on the River Seine for the first time in modern Olympic history.
The Paris Police Prefecture has declared a four mile metal barricade will be in action to prevent any trouble.
Dubbed the SILT, or the “belt of steel” the anti-terrorism barrier is set to act as the first line of defence.
Passersby will need to scan a QR code to pass through the makeshift gated wall.
All cars are also banned from entering a designated zone around some of the venues with just emergency services allowed through.
Paris is one of Europe’s busiest metropolises with it set to be filled with tourists throughout the event.
Tens of thousands of metal security gates can be seen sealing off swathes of the city centre.
Major tourist hotspots like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame all fall within the restricted area.
The barriers were first put in place on July 18 – over a week before the opening ceremony – meaning no one can go inside a designated “grey zone” without a valid QR code pass.
Around 20,000 people live and work inside the zone with them all being forced to get a pass to enable them to move around central Paris.
The barrier on the famous river is set to stay in place until the end of the opening ceremony where millions are expected to gather to watch on.
They have made similar sinister threats in the past at major sporting events such as the Champions League final earlier this year.
An elite anti-terrorist unit has also been deployed in France to protect the Israeli football team and fans as they kick-off their tournament this week.
The French Research and Intervention Brigade have been tasked with creating a “ring of steel” at their opening match against Mali amid protests relating to the war in Gaza.
Chaos has already erupted in the past few days in Paris after bottles and firecrackers were thrown onto the pitch when Argentina played Morocco in the opening football fixture.
The game was suspended with just minutes left to play with the players being forced to safety inside the dressing rooms.
A harrowing video released on Tuesday also showed a distressed woman begging for help in Paris moments after she claims she was gang raped by five men.
With Olympic BMX champion Logan Martin also claiming he has been the victim of an alleged smash and grab robbery in Belgium days before he kicks off his run in Paris.
Officers were already busy pre-Olympics with a number of arrests being made.
A 26-year-old was being held for allegedly plotting “violent action”, as weeks ago, a 16-year-old was also detained for allegedly saying he wanted to “die a martyr”.
A Russian man has also been arrested on Sunday on suspicion of planning attacks during the Olympics.
A 40-year-old was detained with police probing whether he passed on “intelligence to a foreign power in order arouse hostilities in France”, French media reported.
Security expert Will Geddes told The Sun that Paris is “throwing everything from physical, to technical, to psychological operations” to ensure they protect the event.
A soldier launches a drone over the Seine RiverAP
A terrifying ISIS poster appeared to make threats against the Paris Olympics
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