Security for the Olympic Games has turned central Paris into a heavily barricaded zone, with only a few residents permitted access. The area resembles a crime scene, with metal fences, cleared pathways, and empty restaurants. These barricades are being compared to an iron curtain, and access requires a QR code for residents and those with medical needs, as part of anti-terrorism measures.
Paris is effectively in lockdown due to the Olympics, which are being held predominantly outdoors under the theme “en plein air.” Events are set to transform the city, with the Opening Ceremony featuring a four-hour boat parade along the Seine, a first in Olympic history.
Motorized vehicles are banned from a wide area around the river, and police have set up a security fence for the Opening Ceremony. Entry to this zone requires authorization, and individuals will undergo identity checks, searches, and pat-downs. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez indicated some leniency on the first day for educational purposes.
Security measures are stringent, reminiscent of Cold War-era Berlin. Snipers will be stationed on rooftops, and anti-drone systems will be active. Unregistered drones will be neutralized, and sniffer dogs, including a steel-muzzled Malinois named Stimo, will be on duty.
Restaurants in central Paris are struggling, with some experiencing an 80% decline in business. One owner likened the situation to being locked up, while another lamented the lack of awareness about the QR code requirement. Only residents, professionals, and those with medical appointments are eligible for QR codes.
Despite the hype, the cost of the Olympics is estimated between €3-5 billion, causing financial strain in a country already facing discontent over pension reforms. While organizers aim to use existing infrastructure to minimize costs and boost tourism, early signs suggest a decline in tourist bookings and financial losses for Air France.
Additionally, the government’s eviction of approximately 5,000 homeless individuals from Paris has drawn criticism, as the Olympic Village is located in Seine-Saint-Denis, an impoverished area with high poverty rates. Though the area will benefit from new public pools and local hiring for the Olympic Village, the long-term impact remains uncertain.
The mayor’s swim in the Seine was intended to emphasize the positive, long-term environmental and economic benefits of the Games, hoping to shift public sentiment as 57% of the French population expressed disinterest in the Olympics.
