ISRAEL CLOSELY WATCHED
Estanguet suggested the Israeli delegation was likely to receive special attention during the Games.
Israel unleashed a campaign to eliminate Iran-backed Hamas after militants burst into Israel on Oct 7 and rampaged through southern towns and bases, killing 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and taking 253 hostages back to Gaza.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said over 25,000 Palestinians – many of them women and children – have been killed in Israeli strikes since Oct 7.
“We are taking a very strict approach to all the delegations, with the Prefecture of Police and the State working with the intelligence services,” he said.
“I’ve been to the Games (four times as an athlete), and we know that this is a delegation that, given what happened at the Munich Games in particular, is extremely closely watched and accompanied to guarantee its security at the time of the Games.
“The threat level is regularly updated so that the police and security services can guarantee that every participant in the Games and every spectator who comes to experience the magic of the Games will be in complete safety.”
The security budget for the Paris 2024 Games has been estimated at around 300 million euros (US$326.55 million) but is likely to be much higher.
“Security remains a priority at the Olympics, and we expect that there will be demonstrations and demands. We are a free country where people can put forward their ideas, but we want them to be peaceful and respectful of all those who want to enjoy the festivities,” said Estanguet.
“We will manage the situation as it arises, and we need to be able to react immediately as best we can, respecting the integrity of everyone involved, not overreacting, and guaranteeing the continuity of the Games’ operations. We want to welcome the athletes in the best possible conditions.”
