Faced with a possible terrorist threat, Macron reveals he has a plan B for the opening party of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The President of France, Emmanuel Macronrevealed this Monday the alternative plans for the inaugural party of Paris 2024 Olympic Games: limit it in space or do it in the Stadium of Francedespite being convinced that he will be able to perform in the waters of Seine River despite the terrorist threat.

Although Macron had already assured in the past that there were other options for the ceremony, it is the first time he has referred to the scenarios being considered. “The ceremony we are planning is a world first. We can do it and we will do it (…) But we have plans B and plans C and we prepare them in parallel”he noted in an interview with BFMTV television.

Macron mentioned two alternatives: holding the ceremony in the gardens of Trocaderowhich in the initial project will constitute the final point of the delegations’ parade along the Seine, or will lead it to Stadium of France Saint Denisthe stage that will host the athletics competitions.

The French president said he would not address the situation “naively”But “self conscious” of the threats hanging over that ceremony.

“Let’s not minimize the situation, the world is in disorder, we have a war in Europe (in Ukraine), let’s see what happens in the Middle East, that there is a risk of terrorism. But we are preparing to face it, with transparency”Macron said it.

He underlined that the police intervention will be unprecedented and, given the doubts of a spectator on the opportunity of having his son attend the ceremony, he assured that “there will be no safer place”.

Macron noticed this anti-terrorism surveillance is total and it does so in coordination with other countries, which will take care of their own delegations but will also share information with France to prevent attacks.

“We are constantly working with our counterparts, in terms of intelligence and information,” he assured.

In this sense he indicated it “A few months ago, an attempted attack in Strasbourg commanded by the same people who committed the one in Moscow was dismantled” at the end of March.

Macron was convinced that they will be there during the Games “an Olympic truce” which allows the sporting event to take place peacefully, for which it will ask for the collaboration of the Chinese president, Xi Jimpingwho will soon go to Paris.

The president recalled that Russian athletes will be able to participate without a flag and justified that the same decision will not be taken with the Israelis, as some organizations are demanding in retaliation for their actions in Gaza.

“Russia committed aggression in Ukraine. Israel was the victim of a terrorist attack. It is true that, in response, it is bombing Gaza and killing civilians, which is why we ask for a truce”He explained.

“But we cannot say that Israel is an attacker and this is an important difference (with Russia) and this is why its athletes will be with their flag at the Games, which I hope will be a vector of peace”he underlined.

Faced with the survey indicating this only 55% of French people seem involved in the GamesMacron is convinced that involvement will increase and sets the date for May 8, when the Olympic torch will arrive in the country and begin a journey through 460 cities.

“In the end the whole country will be proud”said the president, who indicated that the Games will end “a great legacy” in the country, such as the reclamation of the waters of the Seine, the rehabilitation of depressed neighborhoods or some sports infrastructures.

Unions have called or threatened to call strikes in several sectors, such as public transport, during the Games, but Macron expressed his “confidence” in union organizations that these disruptions will not happen.

“I tell the unions that France must demonstrate that it knows how to organize the Games, respecting rights. I ask for an Olympic truce, I trust in them, in their spirit of responsibility”She said.

Source: EFE