Des Houghton: I fear for the safety of our athletes at Paris Olympics

With Paris and several other cities in France facing a serious terrorism threat less than 50 days out from the Olympics, I fear for the safety of our wonderful swimmers and other athletes, writes Des Houghton.

I fear for the safety of our marvellous swimmers and other athletes who have qualified to compete in the Paris Olympic that start in less than 50 days.

Paris and several other cities in France face a serious terrorism threat.

“France’s national terrorist alert remains at the highest level,” the Department of Foreign Affairs warned this week.

“Expect high-level security measures nationwide, especially in venue cities, including schools, places of worship, shopping centres, and landmarks.

“Terrorists could target events and locations in the lead-up to, during and after the Olympic and Paralympic Games, including events associated with the LGBTQIA+ community, music and cultural events, festivals, tourist areas, shopping areas, transport hubs, sporting events and other public areas.’’

Australian swimming heroes Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus. Picture: Patrick Hamilton/AFP

Phew. Is nowhere safe in Paris anymore?

The Olympic and Paralympic Games run between July 26 and September 8.

Olympic venues in other French cities may also be targeted by extremists.

They include Versailles, Lyon, Nice, Bordeaux, Nantes, Marseilles, Saint-Étienne and Lille.

French anti-terror prosecutors are meanwhile investigating the motives of a Ukrainian-Russian man who detonated a bomb in a Paris hotel earlier this month.

The 26-year-old man suffered “significant burns” when a bomb went off in a hotel in the Val-d’Oise in northern Paris.

The UK press reported investigators found “products and materials intended for the manufacture of explosive devices”.