Paris Olympics: 800 Rejected Over Security Concerns, Minister Reveals
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin presented an updated report on Sunday regarding the verifications conducted on all security agents and public officials involved in organising this summer's Olympic Games, as reported by AFP and cited by news.ro.
Darmanin specified that 800 individuals have been rejected from participating in this summer's Paris Olympic Games thus far, following the 180,000 security checks conducted - out of a total of one million checks to be carried out.
"These include volunteers, torchbearers, and individuals who will accompany others," emphasised the Interior Minister on the LCI news channel.
"This means that there are individuals who attempted to register as torchbearers or volunteers for the Olympic Games, and who evidently harboured ill intentions," continued Gérald Darmanin, adding that among those rejected are "radical Islamists" and "radical environmentalists who want to protest."
The Olympic Games (July 26-August 11) and Paralympics (August 28-September 8) will mobilise nearly 45,000 internal security personnel. On average, 35,000 police officers and gendarmes will be on duty every day throughout France to ensure the security of the events, with 25,000 assigned to the Paralympic Games. Additionally, there will be at least 18,000 soldiers and between 18,000 and 22,000 private security agents each day.
Paris hosts the Olympic Games at a time when France is on high alert against the threat of terrorist attacks. The city offers an unprecedented opening ceremony on the Seine, scheduled for July 26, requiring the mobilisation of 45,000 police officers and gendarmes.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
