France crops crowd numbers for Olympics opening ceremony

The French government revealed on Wednesday that it had reduced the number of spectators attending the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony due to security and organizational challenges.

Scheduled for July 26, the traditional opening parade of Olympic delegations will take place on boats along the River Seine, marking the first time the ceremony is held outside the main athletics stadium.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, in an interview with France 2, stated that “around 300,000” ticketed spectators would attend. Initially, in October 2022, Darmanin had mentioned around 600,000 spectators, while other government officials and organizers had suggested figures between 400,000 and 500,000.

Despite challenges in coordinating large crowds and concerns about security, Darmanin expressed confidence in the capabilities of the security forces, emphasizing the aim to demonstrate France’s ability to host major events successfully.

The decision to hold an open-air ceremony faced resistance from some security officials due to the difficulty of managing large crowds and potential security threats. Additionally, logistical issues arose with convincing traditional book vendors along the river to temporarily remove their kiosks for the event.

Organizers aimed for a sizable audience to fulfill their vision of a “people’s Olympics,” making the Games accessible to a maximum number of French fans.

According to Darmanin, 100,000 tickets were sold for prime viewing areas on the lower banks of the Seine, while an additional 200,000 spectators would have free access to the upper banks. The 300,000 figure did not include residents and those renting spaces along the Seine to host parties, he added.

Highlighting the elevated terror risk, especially after a suspected Islamist attack in a school in northern France, Darmanin emphasized the robust security measures in place. France was on high alert for terror attacks from October to January 15.

Reported By AFP.