Inside Olympic Security: Eiffel Tower Barriers, Cyberattack Defense, and More

The Paris venue has created a unique security challenge for one of the biggest events in the world, with millions of people watching.

PARIS, France — With just three days remaining until the 2024 Olympics, France’s Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, commended law enforcement for their diligence in ensuring safety at the Paris Games. The event will draw thousands of athletes and millions of spectators, amid considerable security challenges.

Paris is set to deploy approximately 30,000 police officers daily throughout the Olympics, which will run from Friday to August 11, with a peak deployment of 45,000 officers for the opening ceremony on the Seine River.

In a handwritten note addressed to various security personnel, including police officers, firefighters, bomb disposal experts, intelligence agents, and private security staff, Darmanin acknowledged the substantial preparation over the past four years. He emphasized that the event posed unprecedented security challenges.

“Your task will not be easy,” Darmanin wrote in a message shared on the platform X, acknowledging Paris’s history of extremist attacks and heightened international tensions due to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Concerns over potential cyberattacks and the implementation of AI-equipped surveillance technology have also been raised by rights campaigners and critics.

Darmanin urged law enforcement to maintain meticulous attention to detail to protect the 10,500 athletes and millions of visitors. He stressed the importance of projecting a positive image of France, blending care, friendliness, and professionalism, as the global audience’s gaze will be fixed on them.

Unlike past Olympic venues that centralized events, Paris has opted to incorporate many sports venues within its bustling city center of 2 million residents, as well as its extensive suburbs. This decision adds another layer of complexity to security measures.

The deployment includes about 18,000 military personnel, many of whom are stationed in a large, specially constructed camp on the outskirts of Paris. France is also receiving support from over 40 countries, which have collectively sent at least 1,900 police officers to aid in the security efforts.