What will security for the Paris 2024 Olympics involve?

One of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar is about to get underway in France in the shape of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Taking place from 26 July – 11 August  (Olympics) and 28 August - 8 September (Paralympics), the event is expected to attract around 13.5 million people. The Opening Ceremony alone will involve more than 300,000 spectators, heads of state, officials, support staff, and athletes.

With the eyes of the world watching and Olympic events set to take place at 36 locations across France, as well as one in Tahiti, it presents a huge security challenge.

So, who and what may be involved in delivering security for the games? And what are the biggest security threats likely to be?

Trained security personnel

The security operation for the Paris 2024 Olympics is unprecedented in scale and aims to ensure the safety and protection of residents, athletes, and visitors alike. To give an idea of the size of the operation, here is an overview of the number and type of security personnel expected to be involved:

1. Police: Approximately 35,000 police officers will be deployed to secure public spaces and maintain order during the games.
2. Military: Around 18,000 French military troops will also be part of the security force, providing additional support and vigilance. In addition, foreign military personnel may contribute to the security effort.
3. Private security teams: Paris 2024 organisers are reportedly calling on around 22,000 private security officers to help secure Olympic venues.
4. Cyber experts: But it’s not just about the physical threats. Organisers are also working closely with cybersecurity experts to try and protect against cyber threats and potential disruption.

Physical security measures

A whole host of physical security measures will be in place throughout the games, including to help support crowd management, prevent unauthorised access and manage traffic.

Competition venue perimeters

To safeguard the venues, the French government has established perimeters around the competition sites. These perimeters will restrict access to authorised personnel only and help enhance security.

Temporary sites

The Olympic and Paralympic events will take place at various locations across Paris, including Arena Bercy, Arena Porte de la Chapelle, Roland-Garros/Parc des Princes, and Arena Paris Sud. Each site will have its own designated security perimeter. Residents, businesses, and visitors will be subject to restrictions within these perimeters.

Traffic management platform

For the red perimeters around competition sites, the police are introducing a digital platform to help streamline traffic management and ensure smoother access for authorised individuals.

Key security threats

As with any large, high-profile event, the range of potential security threats is broad. Public safety and wellbeing will be the top priority for security officials. Here is a brief overview of some of the top threats that will be on the radar.

1. Terrorism

The risk of lone-wolf terrorist attacks is a significant concern. French authorities are actively implementing counterterrorism measures, deploying nearly 20,000 troops through the ongoing ‘Operation Sentinelle’, which was introduced in 2015 to prevent and deter terrorist threats. The use of drones is just one of the unique challenges the security team are working against. The hardest element will be the protection of visitors from terrorism within the wider open tourist areas of Paris.

2. Cyber attacks

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games are facing an “unprecedented level” of cyber threats, according to authorities. The massive scale of the event makes the games an attractive target for cybercriminals, due to their global visibility and high-profile nature. Organisers are therefore taking significant steps to try and mitigate such threats.

3. Crime

While Paris is generally considered safe for foreign travellers, as with any event that sees an increase in crowds, the Olympics is likely to draw opportunistic thieves and other criminals, keen to exploit the situation. French authorities have launched initiatives such as "Zero Crime" and "Clean Place XXL" to reduce crime, particularly in areas like Saint-Denis, which has received significant Olympic infrastructure investment. Increased security in the form of an enhanced police presence on public transport and at key locations will also be in place during the events.

4. Protests and demonstrations

As the 2024 Paris Olympics approach - and with recent political tensions also added into the mix - there is the risk of protests and public disturbances. From anti-Olympic activism to Labor Union action that looks to latch protests on to anti-Olympic sentiment. For example, a French labour union reportedly cut power to Olympic sites, including the Olympic Village and the Stade de France stadium, in protest at the retirement age being raised.

5. Environmental health risks

The Olympics also face a number of environmental and health risks, including those related to heat and humidity, air quality and water pollution. Heat-related illnesses and water quality at venues being a particular threat to athletes. There is also the potential for public health outbreaks.

In summary

As the world eagerly awaits the Paris 2024 Olympics, security remains at the forefront. The French government, along with international partners, is working hard to ensuring it’s a safe and memorable experience for all.

In need of event security?

Here at Venture, we have been providing comprehensive event security and consultancy services for close to 18 years. This has seen us working with a range of private and public sector clients, including managing security for both Newbury and Salisbury Racecourses, The Roman Baths, Stonehenge, London Marathon, National Armed Forces Day, and Soho House Festival.

To find out more, please email [email protected] or call us on 01264 391538.