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The Summer Olympics will start in Paris in 100 days. Paris is expecting around a million visitors per day during this time. The anticipation is huge. But there is also currently talk of the many problems that Paris still has to solve by July 26th.
Problem 1 – Terror Threat: Even without the Olympic Games, France is exposed to the risk of terrorist attacks. The “Vigipirate” prevention system is at the highest alert level. The Olympics are another possible target for terrorist attacks. The planned opening ceremony on the Seine is causing headaches. The delegations are supposed to parade on river barges. This would make them a target for terrorists.
Problem 2 – lack of security measures elsewhere: France is mobilizing an extraordinary number of law enforcement officers for the 2024 Olympics. Several European countries are also sending units to France. These law enforcement officers could then be missing elsewhere. For example, French organizers of cultural festivals in the summer are concerned about a lack of police. They say they cannot hold their festival for security reasons.
Problem 3 – broken promises: When it ran for office, France had promised a lot in the original project: free transport, additional metro lines or a train line from Charles-de-Gaulle airport to the center. This wasn’t done or won’t be done on time.
Legend:
There is great anticipation for the Olympic Games. But the French population also fears strikes, transport and security problems and, in the worst case, terrorist attacks. The authorities promise that everything will go well.
Keystone/EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA (July 25, 2023)
Problem 4 – overloaded public transport: The city’s transportation network is already permanently overloaded, even without millions of additional guests. No additional railway line was started. Rudolf Balmer, a journalist in Paris, suspects that the announced metro lines will not be completed on time. The population is therefore encouraged to avoid using public transport during the affected weeks.
Problem 5 – Danger of traffic jams: A lane will be reserved for delegations and officials on the Paris Périphérique ring motorway. There are already traffic jams every day. There will therefore almost certainly be traffic problems.
Legend:
For two weeks, athletes from all over the world will fight for medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Reuters/Benoit Tessier
Issue 6 – Strikes: The unions are already threatening strikes. Hundreds already demonstrated for better working conditions during the major event. They also worry about hospitals being overwhelmed. Strikes could lead to loss of work even during the Olympic Games and could also massively worsen transport problems.