As Paris makes final preparations for the Summer Olympics, the grand opening ceremony along the river Seine this Saturday has created an unprecedented security challenge that organisers hope won't dampen the party vibe.
For the first time, a Games opening ceremony will not take place in a stadium, instead, dozens of boats will carry thousands of athletes and performers on a 6km (3.7-mile) floating parade down the Seine, showcasing the beauty and history of the French capital.
More than 300,000 people are expected to line both banks of the river to watch the ceremony, along with 45,000 police, including members of France's elite special intervention forces trained in counterterrorism.
Snipers will be deployed on the top of buildings along the route, and an anti-drone system will be in place.
President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee Tony Estanguet told reporters that there is a balance to be found between top security, which is absolutely the priority.
Source: Reuters
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