The Paris Olympics are scheduled to commence with a grand and unparalleled ceremony on the Seine river on Friday. However, hours prior to the event, France's rail network faced paralysis due to alleged acts of sabotage. The evening parade will feature up to 7,500 athletes traveling along a six-kilometer stretch of the Seine on a fleet of 85 boats. Earlier on Friday, French rail operator SNCF reported that the country's high-speed network had been subjected to 'malicious acts' aimed at disabling the system. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete condemned the incident as an 'outrageous criminal act,' while Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera described the attacks as 'downright appalling.' French security forces have been on high alert for months, warning of potential attacks aimed at destabilizing the Games. Suspicion may fall on Russia, whose team is excluded from the Paris Olympics due to the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. France, a strong supporter of Kyiv, is considered a specific target. Additionally, far-left groups within France have a history of targeting the rail network through arson attacks.
Meanwhile, Eurostar is advising passengers against traveling, as its services between London and Paris have been disrupted by acts of vandalism, according to the BBC. Eurostar earlier stated: 'Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting the high-speed line between Paris and Lille, all high-speed trains to and from Paris are being rerouted via the classic line today, Friday 26 July. This extends the journey time by approximately an hour and a half,' adding that 'several trains have been canceled.' Germany's Deutsche Bahn also warned of disruptions to its long-distance rail network and advised passengers to verify their connections before traveling. 'Due to damage caused by vandalism, Deutsche Bahn's long-distance services between France and Germany are subject to short-term cancellations and delays,' the state-owned rail operator announced on its website. Swiss rail operator SBB, however, stated that train traffic from Switzerland to France is currently unaffected by disruptions to the French rail network.
In contrast to the Covid-affected 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed by a year and opened in an empty stadium, the Paris opening ceremony is expected to be attended by 300,000 spectators, VIPs, and celebrities from around the globe. Rain poses a threat to the ceremony, with forecasters predicting a 70-80 percent chance of rain during the event. President Emmanuel Macron addressed a pre-Games dinner for heads of state and government, stating: 'Tomorrow you will witness one of the most incredible opening ceremonies.' The lineup of performers remains a closely guarded secret, but rumors include US pop star Lady Gaga and French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura, the most listened-to French-speaking singer in the world. This marks the first time a Summer Olympics has opened outside the main athletics stadium, a decision fraught with danger given France's current high alert for terrorism. Organizers have consistently maintained that there is no Plan B, despite months of questioning about potential scaling back or relocation of the procession. A massive security perimeter has been established along both banks of the Seine, patrolled around the clock by 45,000 police and paramilitary officers on duty for the event. An additional 10,000 soldiers and 22,000 private security guards will bolster security measures.
Police snipers will be stationed at every high point along the river convoy route, which is flanked by hundreds of buildings. The recent assassination attempt on US presidential candidate Donald Trump on July 13 has heightened concerns. Armed officers will also be present on the boats, according to a security source. The Israeli and Palestinian teams will receive extra protection, considering the tensions arising from Israel's offensive in Gaza, which have already impacted the Games. Organizers will be vigilant against further protests, following the Israeli football team's first match on Wednesday, which saw the waving of Palestinian flags and the booing of the Israeli anthem. The opening ceremony is expected to set the tone for the rest of the Games, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, which organizers have promised will be 'iconic.' Approximately 3,000 dancers will perform from the riverbanks and nearby monuments, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, in a show that will highlight diversity, gender equality, and French history. The landmarks and architecture of Paris, one of the world's most cherished destinations, will serve as a backdrop for both the ceremony and much of the subsequent sporting events. Paris aims for a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly Olympics compared to previous editions, with competitions planned at historic sites around the capital. Some events, including football, rugby sevens, and archery, have already begun, with the latter taking place in front of the golden-domed Invalides, Napoleon's final resting place.
