France’s Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, announced that approximately 25,000 police officers will be deployed daily in Paris and surrounding areas to secure the Paralympic Games, mirroring the same security measures implemented during the Olympics. The Paralympics are set to take place from August 28 to September 8 in the French capital and nearby locations. Darmanin reassured the public that authorities have not detected any tangible terror threats to the event.
Security measures will be particularly robust for Israel’s delegation of 27 athletes, who will receive 24-hour protection from elite police officers due to the tensions surrounding Palestinian deaths during the war in Gaza and the looming threat of a wider regional conflict in the Middle East. The opening ceremony is expected to draw around 30,000 spectators at the Concorde venue, with an additional 15,000 people able to attend the ceremony freely on the Champs-Elysees.
Police will also ensure the security of the torch relay as the flame arrives in France on Sunday from Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire, England, the village widely considered the birthplace of the Paralympic Games. Around 10,000 private security agents will join police forces to guarantee the safety of athletes and spectators at various venues.
France Deploys Massive Security Force for Paralympic Games (Image via Getty)
The Paralympics will feature 4,400 athletes competing in 19 venues, a significantly smaller scale than the Olympics, which saw 10,500 athletes and 41 venues. According to Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, 1.7 million of the 2.8 million available tickets have been sold so far. Events will include wheelchair tennis at Roland Garros, track and field at the Stade de France, basketball at the Bercy Arena, and swimming at La Défense Arena.
As the event draws near, authorities are taking every precaution to ensure a smooth and secure experience for athletes, spectators, and delegates alike. With over 25,000 police officers on duty daily, France is committing substantial resources to guarantee an enjoyable and incident-free Paralympic Games.
