Attacks on railway lines: threat to the Olympic Games in Paris?
Attacks on railway lines: threat to the Olympic Games in Paris?
Security of the Olympic Games - a challenge for France
The recent attacks on the TGV network put France in turmoil and strengthened the security concerns in the run-up to the Olympic Games. The head of the French state railway SNCF described the attacks as an attack on "part of France", while Prime Minister Gabriel Attal expressed his sympathy for the families who saw their vacation plans impaired by the attacks.
At the beginning of the summer vacation and the start of the Olympic Games, this sabotage campaign reminds the neighboring country that absolute security is an illusion. There were three attacks on important points on the rail network that took place far from the capital. Another attack could apparently be thwarted. The effects were massive train failures, detours and delays, which were also affected by connections to Germany. A total of around 800,000 travelers were affected by the attacks.
The exact perpetrators are not yet known, the investigation is underway. It is important to avoid conjectures as long as there is no reliable information. So far it is not clear whether foreign state actors, terrorist organizations or local criminals are responsible for these sabotage files.
However, it was obvious that the perpetrators wanted to show how vulnerable the major event is at the time of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Fortunately, no people were injured in the attacks. Nevertheless, it became clear before the games began that the lightness and security, which is normally associated with international sports events, is threatened here.The French state intends to use tens of thousands of police officers and soldiers in the next two weeks to ensure the safety of athletes and guests. This is an immense challenge. In the past few days, the security forces have presented their high-tech equipment in front of running cameras to show that they are present everywhere-be it at the sports facilities, on the streets of the city or at the opening ceremony.
The attacks on the TGV network have shown that attacks in the greater Paris area are not necessarily needed to significantly disturb the games. Even the sabotage of the infrastructure can be enough. If further serious incidents such as bomb attacks or amotlets are carried out in the province, the question inevitably arises whether the competitions in Paris can be continued under such circumstances.
It is important that we always keep in mind that in turbulent global political times, the risk of attacks of all kinds is great, especially when many people come together in a few places. The security forces did a good job at the European Football Championship in Germany, but the country was also lucky.
We wish France and all sports enthusiasts with a smooth course of the Olympic Games without major incidents. Above all, however, we must not be intimidated by abstract threats. Nobody should take the joy of life. Big sporting events are festivals, and as the saying goes, you have to celebrate how they fall.