10,000 armed soldiers, navy patrols and surveillance planes: Inside Olympics’ massive security operation

At least 10,000 armed soldiers, supported by tens of thousands of police and private security personnel will be in place for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. That’s just the start of an enormous security operation.

At least 10,000 armed soldiers will be deployed to Paris for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Picture: Kiran Ridley/Getty Images

The sheer enormity and importance of the Olympics means everything that happens at the world’s biggest sports event is on a scale more like war than playing games.

That includes the massive and unprecedented security operation designed to keep everyone safe.

Olympic organisers never normally talk about their security arrangements but have made an exception for Paris because the detail and complexity of their protection plans are off the charts.

At least 10,000 armed soldiers will be deployed to the French capital for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. They will reside in a temporary military camp inside the European city.

Supported by tens of thousands of police and private security personnel, the troops will guard stadiums, transport hubs, tourist sites, cafes and even churches – basically anywhere people congregate.

At least 10,000 armed soldiers will be deployed to Paris for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Navy boats will patrol the seas and oceans while the airspace above France will be occupied by surveillance planes, fighter jets, helicopters carrying sharpshooters and specialised equipment to identify and disable any threatening drones.

That all makes the City of Light sound like the most dangerous and frightening place on Earth but Olympic officials claim it will be the safest.

“The French authorities have developed comprehensive security arrangements and we have every confidence our hosts will provide a safe and secure environment for our team and Australian supporters,” Australian Olympic Committee CEO Matt Carroll said.

“The French have significant experience hosting major events. Paris 2024 will be an exciting Games for athletes and spectators alike.”

The safeguarding of competitors and spectators has been the number one priority for Olympic hosts since the 1972 Munich massacre, when 11 Israeli athletes and team officials were kidnapped and killed by Palestinian militants.

French officials are on high alert for any potential terrorism or cyber attacks.

The concerns have only been heightened by a decision from Paris organisers to break with tradition and hold the opening ceremony on the River Seine, instead of inside a stadium.

While the sight of thousands of athletes sailing towards the Trocadero and Eiffel Tower for the lighting of the cauldron promises to be a spectacular show, it also presents enormous logistic challenges.

Each competing country in the flotilla will have its own open-air barge that will pass by thousands of windows and rooftops from nearby buildings, while hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the banks of the Seine.

Security experts are worried that terrorist organisations or “lone wolves” may try to attack the procession, knowing the eyes of the world will be watching.

An illustration by the Paris Olympic Committee of the planned opening ceremony on the River Seine. Picture: Florian Hulleu/AFP

They have good reason to be fearful because Paris has been targeted several times in the past decade.

In 2015, ISIS claimed responsibility for attacks that left 131 dead. A year later, 86 people were killed when the driver of a truck deliberately rammed into a crowd in Nice.

To counter the risk of an attack at the Opening Ceremony, 45,000 security personnel will be on site for that day alone, including hundreds of snipers placed at strategic points along the route.

Artificial intelligence surveillance technology will also be used to screen for potential assailants, while hi-tech electronics will be used to stop any drones that might be carrying explosives from getting anywhere near the procession.

Olympic officials say they have been completely reassured by the depth of planning.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said last year he had no doubts Paris would be safe to visit.

“We addressed the security issues there after a number of consultations,” he said.

“We can really say we have full confidence in the French security authorities.”