With just three weeks remaining until the Paris 2024 Olympics, the French river police are intensively training on the city’s river in preparation for the opening ceremony later this month.
Around 10,000 athletes are expected to parade along the Seine River on over 90 boats, covering a distance of 6 kilometers (3.7 miles).
Sophie Malherbe, Head of the Department of the Paris River Police, expressed confidence in their preparations, stating, “We take great pride in our ability to ensure security along the river for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Our training regimen is focused on long-term preparation, not just for the Olympics, but as part of our daily routine. Each morning, the river brigade diligently trains in piloting, diving, and swimming to guarantee peak performance for the opening ceremony on the Seine and the subsequent nautical events that we will be safeguarding.”
The police chief of Paris plans to deploy approximately 30,000 police officers on duty daily, some of whom will be armed, with the number reaching a maximum of 45,000 troops during the opening ceremony. The military will also provide assistance, with roughly 18,000 army personnel participating in the event.