PARIS (AP) — The talk before the opening ceremony of the Paris Games ideally should be about its grandiose backdrop: a summer sun setting on the Seine River as athletes drift by in boats and wave to cheering crowds. But behind the romantic veneer that Paris has long curated, mounting security concerns already have had an impact on the unprecedented open-air event. In January, the number of spectators allowed to attend the ceremony was slashed from around 600,000 to around 320,000. Tourists were told they won’t be allowed to watch it for free from riverbanks because the French government scaled back ambitions amid ongoing security threats. Then, on March 24, France raised its security readiness to the highest level after a deadly attack at a Russian concert hall and the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility. French President Emmanuel Macron says the ceremony could be shifted instead to the national stadium at Stade de France if the security threat is deemed too high. |
Peter Andre reveals TWO names are 'in the running' for his newborn daughter as legal deadline loomsPlayoff hopes fading for troubled Crusaders in Super Rugby PacificImelda Staunton reveals The Crown's final episode had to be reUS births fell last year, marking an end to the late pandemic rebound, experts sayTrump will be in NY for the hush money trial while the Supreme Court hears his immunity case in DCConnecticut Senate passes widePrincess Charlotte's adorable talent that makes her mother Kate Middleton 'very happy'Lightning and Islanders searching for answers to rebound from 2Dean Phillips gains his first delegates. Here’s why they’ll likely vote for Biden at the conventionConnor Wong homers twice, Rafael Devers connects for solo shot as Red Sox hammer Guardians 8