Traversing through an event the size of the Olympics or simply being in the same city during an event of such magnitude can be a challenge to navigate without fully understanding it’s complexities.
In Part 2 of our series Insights into Security and the Olympics, we examined past incidents of terrorism targeting the Olympics, ditching the EP ego, and forming key relationships for a successful detail. In Part 3 of our installment, we look at the uniqueness and challenges of the proposed opening ceremony, possible disruptions during the event, the heavy use of private security, and movement in and around Paris during the Olympics.
Opening Ceremony
For the first time in Olympic history, there are proposed plans to hold the opening ceremony outside of the traditional stadium venue. The city of Paris and the Olympic committee have proposed holding one of the most watched events on the River Seine where more than 10,000 athletes would sail on barges along a 6km stretch of the river. Early on, government officials estimated at least 600,000 members of the general public would watch the ceremony along the riverbank, but in recent weeks restricted that number to 300,000 with the additional requirement that they must be invited and credentialed guests of the City and Olympic Committee.
Then during a recent interview, French President Emmanuel Macron admitted that with rising security concerns, other opening ceremony options were also being considered and Paris was not ruling out returning back to the traditional stadium ceremony which would then be held at Stade de France. Experts believe that security concerns have been heightened following the threats by the Islamic State group (IS) to Champions League quarter-final football matches in Paris, Madrid, and London as well as the unprecedented cyberattacks in March of this year targeting several French government agencies.
Protests and Disruptions in France
As with most large-scale events in the past decade, protests aren’t just a thought but rather expected and planned for.
The Olympics present a significant platform for protesters, potentially serving as a focal point for various social and political grievances. Over the years, major international events like the Olympics have increasingly become venues for activists to amplify their messages to a global audience. Issues such as global conflicts, human rights violations, environmental concerns, economic disparities, and political injustices could prompt demonstrations and protests during the games.
The result of protests during this year’s games could widely vary, depending on the nature and scale of the demonstrations as well as the response from authorities. As we’ve seen in recent months, response to protestors have varied by country. Authorities in more tolerant places such as the United States have become more tolerant, allowing protestors to block bridges, traffic, and buildings for several hours at a time with little to no recourse. While in other less tolerant countries like Russia and China, protestors are immediately confronted by local authorities using strong physical force and are immediately removed limiting the impact to traffic and business.
Today’s protestor is significantly more knowledgeable and resourceful, has the ability to quickly assemble with minimal notice, and showcases a more diverse use of tactics. Using advance planning, surveillance techniques, and messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram, protestors have shown they can quickly execute a well thought out plan down to the minute in order to make the greatest impact. Such tactics have proven to be effective in causing significant disruption to transportation and businesses as seen in the recent April 15th Pro-Palestine protests which brought morning commutes to a standstill in multiple cities across the world.
With France’s notable history of labor strikes, local authorities have undoubtably planned for such events to occur at this year’s event and factored them into their security and transportation plan. From the “Yellow Vest” movement in 2019 which captured global attention and affected transportation and public services, to more recent strikes by French Police and French Farmers, the implications of such strikes during the Olympics could pose considerable challenges for visitors. Transportation disruptions, including delays or cancellations of flights, trains, and other modes of transit, could hinder the movement of spectators, athletes, and officials alike.
While protests and strikes are a fundamental aspect of democratic societies, they also pose challenges for security officials tasked with maintaining order and ensuring the safety of participants and spectators. The potential for large-scale protests to disrupt transportation networks, impede access to venues, and create public safety hazards should not be overlooked. Therefore, security measures must be meticulously planned and executed to mitigate the risk of escalation. In the event of protests during the 2024 Olympics, a swift but well thought out response from authorities will be crucial in managing the situation and minimizing any negative impact on the games.
One key component of a successful response will be the use of properly trained police and security personnel.
Private Security At The Games
Major events like the Olympics require a massive deployment of police personnel. In January, French police sounded the alarm that with staffing shortages and the significant number of hours being required of them to work the Olympics, they demanded bonuses of up to 2,000 euros for the extra work during the summer and a guarantee of additional resources such as childcare. They also stated they would not rule out a strike during the event.
As with any large event, organizers have routinely turned to private security firms and volunteers to bolster their security presence. However, relying on large numbers of private security staff and volunteers, many of whom lack proper training and experience, can pose significant risks.
“With less than 85 days until the start of the Olympics, the Olympic Committee and the Paris’ security organization has realized that there’s a shortage of an estimated 8000 security personnel that’s needed for this event” says Paris based security expert and Apex Secure CEO Cedric Tortevoix. “The problem stems from the lack of new people coming into the security profession since 2009 when France imposed stricter requirements for the private security industry. Since that time, salaries have stayed the same and combining that with the high probability of a terrorist event, no one wants to get involved. Qualified security personnel are simply not going to quit their full time position making a better wage just to work the Olympics” says Tortevoix.
Past incidents have shown that volunteers and private security personnel without adequate training or licensing struggle to effectively handle most security situations. This lack of preparedness has led to the mishandling of suspicious situations as well as delays at security check points and the flow of pedestrians coming in and out of venues. These delays not only inconvenience attendees but escalate tension and also create opportunities for potential security threats to go unnoticed.
For EP agents, planning and preparing for this this will be key. Ensuring additional travel time in and out of events must be factored, as well as having the proper credentials and pre identified points of contacts to get you through unexpected obstacles will be a must.
The Concentric Rings of Paris
In November of 2023, representatives from the Paris Police who were working with the 2024 Olympic committee, presented an initial security and traffic plan for the city of Paris and neighboring towns. The plan was based on both historical security and traffic methodologies as well as lessons learned from more recent high-profile events. In early March, the same group joined by various French Mayors and Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet announced more detailed information specifically addressing security perimeters around venues and road races as well as timelines for the construction and removal of temporary venues.
Taking into account the impact of restrictions and road closures on local residents and businesses, French officials developed a plan using the time-tested method of concentric rings. Maps displayed during the announcement showed four zones, each with stronger access restrictions the closer you came to the venue.
Zone 1 which will be established as close to the venue as possible, will only allow Olympic committee members, authorized persons and certain vehicles into the areas outside of event times. This includes emergency vehicles and personnel, venue staff and ticket holders for the specific date and time. All entering this zone will be subject to security screening to include pat downs, bag and vehicle checks and other technology which is traditionally not announced to the general public.
Zone 2 will be established with the same security protocols but with the addition of access by local residents who can show proof of residency. As with Zone 1, high level screening of all persons and vehicles will be required.
Zone 3 will be established each event day beginning an hour and a half before the start of the first event and end an hour after the last event has been completed. This intent of Zone 3 is to reduce security risks and maintain pedestrian flow in and out of the venue. To accomplish this, no vehicles will be allowed into this zone except in emergency situations. Pedestrians in this area will not be required to have a pass or a ticket.
Zone 4 will be established to control vehicle flow and to divert it away from the other zones. Should drivers require access into this zone it must be for a justified reason, with some sort of proof, and be for such reasons as work, home delivery services, medical, etc. Vehicle and occupant inspections will be conducted by law enforcement. Like Zone 3, Zone 4 will be setup on each competition day two and a half hours before the start of the event and removed an hour after the last event.
Olympic officials have indicated that a majority of the games will be held at existing venues around the country while approximately 40% will be held at temporary venues throughout Paris. These sites include:
· The Trocadéro
· The Eiffel Tower
· Champ de Mars
· Place de la Concorde
· Place de l’Hôtel de Ville
· Esplanade des Invalides
· Alexandre III bridge
“Those traveling to Paris for the Olympics, especially those involved with security details, should know that private transportation such as car services will be restricted from entering most of the established zones. Advance planning with an understanding that things can and will change is key” say Tortevoix.
As we navigate the complexities of security preparations for the upcoming Olympics, it’s clear that meticulous planning and proactive measures will be the key to success. From the unprecedented proposal of an opening ceremony along the River Seine to the ever-present threat of protests and disruptions, the challenges facing police, security, and executive protection teams are multifaceted and dynamic. The potential for unforeseen events, coupled with the evolving nature of security threats, underscores the critical importance of preparedness and adaptability. As we move closer to the start of the event, it will be imperative that everyone with a security role remain flexible and have the ability to pivot at a moment’s notice in order to respond to emerging threats, unexpected disruptions, and extended wait times.
