Securing the most anticipated sporting event of the year is a major concern for the authorities, and the protection perimeter set up to ensure the safety of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games demonstrates the extent of the measures taken. Starting this Thursday, from 5 a.m., and until July 26, the areas around the banks of the Seine will be subject to restrictions to guarantee the safety of the approximately 326,000 spectators expected.
This internal security and counterterrorism perimeter (SILT) represents a vast system aimed at ensuring the protection of participants, athletes, spectators and local residents during this historic ceremony, which will be held for the first time outside a sports venue. The restrictive measures apply to almost all the banks of the Seine in Paris intra-muros, from the Tolbiac bridge to the Garigliano bridge, passing by emblematic sites such as the Trocadéro, the Champ de Mars, the Saint-Louis and Cité islands, and the Tuileries gardens.
Who is authorized to enter this highly secure perimeter? Only local residents, professionals and visitors with a “games pass” issued upon presentation of supporting documents will be able to pass through the controls and access the area concerned. In addition, athletes, spectators in possession of tickets, as well as people accredited for the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games will be authorized to enter, subject to a search and frisking.
To facilitate movement in these restricted areas, “grey and red” perimeters have been established, with strict access rules for motorized vehicles and a ban on parking. Special attention is paid to local residents and permanent workers in the area, who will benefit from an adapted procedure to obtain a pass allowing them to move around more freely.
The duration of activation of these exceptional measures is limited, extending from July 18 to 26 to allow the smooth running of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Useful applications are made available to inform users of changes in traffic and allow them to plan their trips accordingly.
In short, the mobilization of the authorities to guarantee the safety and smooth running of major sporting events such as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games demonstrates their commitment to ensuring the protection of all participants and spectators. With preventive measures and rigorous control, this edition of the Games promises to be an unforgettable moment for sports fans around the world.