The Paris opening ceremony plans may need to be further scaled back due to security concerns, according to the Olympic chief managing the event speaking to Sky News.
However, Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi emphasized the importance of preserving the unique parade by athletes down the River Seine while ensuring their safety.
Mr Dubi discussed the new restrictions on the crowd imposed by the French government for the 26 July event, with tickets now only available by invitation rather than to the general public.
“You can adapt according to the level of risk,” Mr Dubi told Sky News at Paris 2024 HQ.
“So depending on the nature of the threat, of course this can be further reduced if need be… and it was addressing an underlying question, which is ‘can we revert back to another location, say, a stadium somewhere?’
“You cannot plan for a Plan B. It’s far too big, too sophisticated, too complex artistically to look at a Plan B in another location. Plan B is reducing, adjusting, but it is that location.”
Even with a downsized crowd, the Paris opening ceremony will be like none before it.
More than 300,000 people will officially watch from the side of the Seine and thousands more on balconies to see the 94 boats carrying thousands of athletes down the river.
There will be an unprecedented closure of airports and airspace within a 150km radius during the ceremony.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) previously avoided discussing alternative plans until the pandemic, when the Tokyo Games were postponed until 2021.
“It showed the world that you’d better have a Plan B and a lot of determination,” Mr Dubi said.
Global conflicts and geopolitical tensions have heightened the threat from various sources – on the ground, online, and through the skies.
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Security fears over Paris Olympics
“Drones currently can be used as weapons, of course, and there is a whole plan that is developed by the ministry and it’s a very sophisticated one to meet with the challenge,” Mr Dubi said.
“But, also, what the people we have with us this morning are doing is to leave no stone unturned and looking everywhere there is a threat. And that’s what security planning is about.”
Mr Dubi provided his insights after the final meeting before the Games of the IOC’s Coordination Commission.
Sky News was given exclusive access to part of the boardroom meeting of the commission, which includes representatives from the IOC, sports, athletes, and the local organizing committee.
“There is still a lot of work indeed” was the early message delivered by one official to the group.
While there is only the Aquatics Centre left to be opened, the final planning involved a tour of the Olympic Village to inspect where athletes will stay and closely monitor those security plans.
How the opening ceremony could look. Pic: Paris 2024
Mr Dubi emphasized to Sky News that “safety and security” is the top priority in all discussions.
“The cyber environment in the world for anyone… has become absolutely critical,” he said.
“Do we plan for cyber security? Absolutely. And is it at the level of the organizing committee and involving the state? Absolutely.”
The current tense geopolitical climate further increases the risks.
Russia is upset for being banned from competing as a team in Paris following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, though some of its athletes can still compete as neutrals.
Israeli and potentially Palestinian athletes will also be participating. The Israel-Hamas conflict is expected to add to tensions surrounding the Games.
An Israeli swimmer faced boos from the crowd at the World Aquatics Championships in Qatar last month after winning silver.
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There is now more freedom for activism at the Olympics, but the IOC is hoping for a sporting celebration that promotes unity rather than division.
“The Games is the international community coming together as one,” Mr Dubi said.
“And as much as possible to give the message of unity and peace can be dominant over any others.”