As the Paris Olympics countdown clock reached 100 days, the debate over whether the opening ceremony should take place on the Seine River or at the more conventional Stade de France was a hot topic. French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned that if security concerns were too high, the ceremony could be moved to the stadium. With heightened security alerts leading up to the games, organizers, officials, and athletes discussed potential risks while also expressing excitement for the planned parade on the Seine. Despite acknowledging the complex and sometimes dangerous world we live in, they assured visitors that France would be a safe place during the Olympics.
Amidst the security concerns, preparations for the opening ceremony parade on the Seine were still going ahead as planned. The Sports Minister of France, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, reaffirmed the commitment to the ceremony on the river despite acknowledging the existence of risks in today’s world. Despite challenges in organizing such a large-scale event in a city like Paris during uncertain times, the head of the Paris Games organizing committee, Tony Estanguet, stressed the importance of making the sunset parade happen and mentioned that contingency plans were in place to adapt to any unexpected circumstances.
David Lappartient, the president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, highlighted the complexities involved in preparing for the Olympics in a city like Paris amid global tensions. He mentioned there were challenges with transport and security, and it was important that the government was exploring all options available to ensure a successful event. Former France handball star Michael Guigou expressed confidence in the security arrangements for the opening ceremony and various Olympic venues, acknowledging that security risks had sadly become part of daily life in France.
Regardless of the potential changes in the location of the opening ceremony, French breaker Dany Dann, who was set to participate in his first Olympics, expressed eagerness to participate and was focused on his preparation for the Games. He trusted that organizers would ensure that everything would be organized effectively, regardless of whether the ceremony took place on the Seine, at the Stade de France, or anywhere else in Paris. The athletes, officials, and organizers all seemed determined to make the Paris Olympics a successful and safe event, even in the face of uncertainties and security risks.
