France says it has requested 46 nations if they’d be keen to produce greater than 2,000 police officers to help safe the Paris Olympics this summer time, as organizers finalize security planning for the French capital’s first Games in a century whereas on heightened alert towards potential assaults.
The Interior Ministry mentioned Friday that the request for foreign security help was made in January, searching for almost 2,185 reinforcements. The officers are sought to help with Games security and “the spectator experience” and to “strengthen worldwide cooperation,” the ministry said.
“This is a classic approach of host countries for the organization of major international events,” the ministry added.
It noted that France sent 200 of its gendarmes to soccer’s World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and also welcomed 160 officers from other European security forces for the Rugby World Cup that France hosted last year.
Separately, the French Defense Ministry has also asked foreign nations for “small numbers” of military personnel who could help with “very specific” duties on the Games, together with sniffer canine groups, mentioned Col. Pierre Gaudillière, spokesman for the military basic workers.
Poland’s protection minister mentioned his nation can be sending troopers to the Paris Games. The Polish armed forces delegation will embody canine handlers and “its most important aim can be to undertake actions associated to the detection of explosives and counteracting terrorist phenomena.” the minister, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, posted on X.
Security is the most important challenge for Paris Games organizers in a metropolis that has been repeatedly hit by lethal assaults by Islamic extremists and which is anticipating as many as 15 million guests for the July 26-Aug. 11 Games and Paralympics that observe.
Security issues are notably excessive for the opening ceremony, which is able to contain boats alongside the Seine River and large crowds watching from the embankments.
France’s authorities elevated its security alert posture to the best degree within the wake of the current lethal assault at a Russian live performance corridor and the Islamic State’s declare of accountability.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal introduced the choice in a submit on X, saying authorities have been “taking into account the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for the (Moscow) attack and the threats weighing on our country.?”
