With an anticipated turnout of 300,000 spectators, half of the initially projected figure, the spectacle promises to redefine the Olympic inauguration experience. Darmanin outlined the ambitious event, scheduled for July 26, during which athletes will be paraded on boats through the heart of Paris, transforming the city into a grand amphitheatre for the world’s premier sporting event.
Breaking away from the conventional stadium setting, the grand showcase will unfold along a 6-kilometre route on the River Seine, a first in the annals of Olympic ceremonies.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin shared that the event would necessitate a formidable security operation, with tens of thousands of police officers and soldiers deployed. The ambitious endeavour aims to accommodate 100,000 paying spectators with prime waterside views, while an additional 220,000 individuals will be granted free access to the upper embankments of the river.
Initial estimates by organizers had hinted at a gathering of approximately 600,000 spectators. However, Darmanin did not delve into the reasons behind the revision of these figures. Despite the scale and complexity of the event, the minister expressed confidence in France’s security forces, stating, “I know that we have the best security forces in the world, and we’ll be able to show that France is capable of winning medals and, above all, of hosting the world without any problems.”
French President Emmanuel Macron had previously acknowledged the possibility of relocating the ceremony due to security concerns arising from extremist attacks. Drawing parallels with the 2015 attacks in Paris, Macron highlighted the need for flexibility in response to severe crises.
