25,000 police a day will guard Paralympic Games, says French interior minister
20 August 2024, 15:04
The Paralympics will take place from August 28 to September 8 in Paris and nearby sites.
France’s interior minister has said about 25,000 police officers will be deployed every day in Paris and beyond to watch over the Paralympic Games, in line with the security implemented during the Olympics.
The Paralympics will take place from August 28 to September 8 in the French capital and nearby sites.
Speaking at a news conference, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin reiterated that authorities have detected no “tangible” terror threat to the Paralympics.
He said Israel’s delegation of 27 athletes will be protected 24 hours a day by elite police officers, as during the Olympics, amid tensions over Palestinian deaths during the war in Gaza and the threat of a wider regional conflict in the Middle East.
The opening ceremony next week is expected to draw about 30,000 spectators at the Concorde venue, and some 15,000 other people who will be able to attend the ceremony free of charge on the Champs-Elysees, Mr Darmanin said.
Police will also ensure the security of the torch relay as the flame arrives in France on Sunday from Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire, England, the village that is widely considered the birthplace of the Paralympic Games.
In addition, about 10,000 private security agents will help ensure security of athletes and spectators at venues, Mr Darmanin said.
The Paralympics will involve 4,400 athletes in 19 venues, compared with 10,500 athletes and 41 venues during the Olympics, said Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee.
He added that 1.7 million of the available 2.8 million tickets available have been sold to date.
Events include wheelchair tennis at Roland Garros – the home of the French Open – track and field at the Stade de France, basketball at the Bercy Arena, and swimming at La Défense Arena.
