Tens of thousands from across the globe witnessed a colourful start of the 33rd Olympiad in Fance’s capital city Paris in an opening ceremony watched by millions across the globe. The country is hosting the biggest event on the planet under very unprecedented circumstances as there is no functional government in the country now. After the recent elections defeat, Prime Minister of the country resigned, and new Prime Minister is yet to be elected so the games are going in a chaotic & unstable governance situation. The biggest challenge for the caretaker government is to conduct these two weeklong events without allowing any untoward incident to happen, keeping all the participants and competitors safe and keeping the country moving and working at the same time. The 33rd Olympic Games that kick started on Friday 26 July will end of Sunday 11 August, until then all agencies involved in running the show will have sleepless nights.
The Olympics are happening at a time when there is a war raging across the continent and another conflict blazing in the Middle East. Threats of terror attacks on Games simmer just as millions prepare to visit Paris for the games. The complicated and widely spread opening ceremony held along Seine River made job for the security forces even tougher. It appears like all the troubles have come around the same time, while Olympics are the time for any country to showcase its prowess not only in sports but in every sphere of life. With no functioning government at the helm, there is no accountability of anyone in case of an unforeseen event. Vested interests and terror groups are ready to take advantage of this situation and may try to strike at any remote possibility. Sensing the possible terror attacks, caretaker government is taking all possible security measures to thwart any likelihood of any unfortunate incident and has sought help from many countries for the security of the games.
A total of 45,000 police officers and 18,000 military personnel along with 20,000 people from private security firms will look after the security arrangements during the games. Approx. 2000 police and paramilitary officers from 44 countries have already been deployed around the city for the safety of visitors and athletes. An undisclosed number of intelligence personnel are deployed to keep an eye on miscreants who tried to ruin the show a week ago. Reports are coming regarding the unprecedented security arrangement including deploying snipers on the roof tops and special forces unit of French Police deployed on sensitive points. Police and Army helicopters will keep vigilance 24×7 and drones will be monitoring all possible flash points. All these measures have been taken since France has seen a series of violent attacks and protests by the fundamental forces in the country who have openly threatened of a bloodshed in the Olympics.
While millions of people will come to Paris to watch sport, sadly the Polce and security forces will be watching them. A special security has been thrown around athletes from Israel and they are moving only under the watchful cordon of French Police. One of the recently elected left wing MP has openly said that Israeli athletes are not welcome to Paris Olympics. French security is wary of the rumours being spread about the Olympic games like Paris is not ready for the games and overbearing security will ruin the event. French security forces have arrested few suspicious people of foreign nationality with plans to disrupt and destabilise the games. Apart from the security threats, moving millions of people around the city to different venues is a herculean task and brings lot of logistic implications for the organisers.
The politicians might have agreed to an Olympics truce, but fundamentalists will not allow anyone this option and even a small oversight could cost dearly to the host nation. One can only pray that these games complete without any hindrance or mishap but until then there is no room for complacency for those responsible for it. May these games bring some senses to the perpetrators of violence and let the greatest event on the planet pass peacefully. -Yugal Parashar